Are you enlightened yet?

The topic of discussion this week was the period called, "The Enlightenment."  Supposedly this was the point when people based their thinking on reason.  Things were classified with reason, yet they also saw the possibility of progress, perfectibility, and freedom.  I had heard about John Locke's idea of "tabula rasa" in some of my other classes.  However, I'm not sure that I totally believe it, I instead am more apt to believe that everyone is born a sinner.  Also, no one is able to reach the point of perfection.  Why does it always seem that these ideal ideas can never occur in reality?  Another example of this is the social contract.  If only we would all see the benefits of banning together to achieve rights, yet be willing to give up some things for the good of all.  We can't have everything we want, and in the end, that is ultimately best.

One of the most intriguing concepts has to be Adam Smith's idea of the invisible hand.  In a way I can connect this to my religious beliefs that God has his hand in everything.  Do you think this is where Smith got his ideas?  Either way, isn't it interesting how the market tends to work itself out of messes and often works for the best of all (of course this perfect state doesn't exist either...).

The idea of the salon, although I'm not entirely sure what it would be like, seems like a nice idea.  It seems almost like a sophisticated coffee shop full of intellectuals in the midst of deep discussion.  And with the literature of the time, especially Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, you could sit in an elaborately decorated environment with a good book!

Talking about the rococo style reminds of the gorgeous places in Europe and Spain that I've visited.  Maybe it's just me, but all the gorgeous gold decoration and pastel colors is beautiful in my eyes.  And I love chandeliers!  Although I do agree that in some rooms, it can be a bit much.  I'm not much for the Roman style of architecture, but I like the inside decorations and some of the artwork.  One of my favorite paintings was the one about Cornelia and her children being her treasures.  Instead of seeing it as a feminist statement, I see it more as a step in the direction as women taking their rightful places in society because they shouldn't be seen as property.  However, in a way, although they may not be shocking in this day and age, all the nude paintings seem to be just another way of showing the disrespect shown to women.  (This is my conservative side speaking, but still...I am of the belief that a woman's or person's, for that matter, personality should be of more examining than the outward appearance.)  In the end, as always, periods have good elements, but they can never fully disguise or cover the sinfulness of society.