Modern science has its attributes t the period or ranging between 17thC and 18th Centuries where specialization in the field of science became increasingly important, as theories which were being developed defined scientific developments. Copernicanism during the period was revived as it marked a better platform for advancing (Porter and Bradford 199).
The period witnessed science ideas being infused with technology to provide a robust way of looking through life settings, and later scientific revolution. The revolution in the field of science saw Europe undergo a transformation in fields such as philosophy, science, math among other disciplines that have an impact on the society’s settings.
Nature and humankind became instrumental in defining how information was being shared among different people, based on the need to have a revolution of bringing positive change. From the outlook of religion, philosophy became a better platform for looking at how modern science brought transformation to the face of the world. People who used the platform found it easier to reach their goals which were tied to the need for a transformed society (Porter and Bradford 200). The modern science has created room for creativity for people who look up to bringing meaningful change, both before the 17th Century to date.
Contribution of enlightenment philosophers to cultural development
Enlightenment or age of reason is a period that witnessed the changes in the overall social levels of engagements as well as the existing cultural practices by then. The period saw the rise of different thinking lines called the public sphere. Based on issues that were affecting the general public, it became apparent that there was a need for a rational look into how the society is structured, with gaps which exist being ironed out. In Europe for example, Jürgen Habermas has been instrumental in defining the society’s settings through identifying gaps and trying to find a solution to the existing gaps. Through the bourgeois public sphere approach, Habermas managed to create a niche in how the public issues are discussed which are premised on three fundamental grounds that includes an issue of common concern to the society, the egalitarian and lastly it touched on an argument which integrates reasoning at all levels.
The enlightenment theory in its totality helps in defining how societies are structured. The enlightenment thinkers, for example, see cultural development such as the rule of monarchs to be inclined towards the selfish interest of the rulers and not the ordinary people who were ruled. Traditionally, the rulers were elected or selected with the sole purpose of protecting the interest of their subjects, hence were bestowed with the power to ensure that the rights of people are protected as well as offer better platform for doing business. Hence, the ability to protect the people becomes the primary purpose of protecting rights of others.
Influence of philosophical and scientific reasoning to our daily lives with Plato and Aristotle
Science and philosophy have a correlation which is tied based on issues which contribute to the discoveries that are linked closely to some of the philosophical lines of thinking. The likes of Carl Max have been instrumental in guiding scientific reasoning, based on their philosophical perspectives.
Our reasoning in the current day and age is attributed to the works of both Plato and Aristotle who have been credited with modern philosophy (Michalos 279). Plato, for instance, was instrumental in pushing for the inclusion of human desire to a level of self-actualization, something that requires one to reach a level of transformation. The angles of looking at the reasoning is benched on desire to have spiritually nourished teams
While looking at the contribution of the two philosophers, the inner, as well as the outer struggle in our daily lives, are manifested. When the two comes into play, the outcome is more of a tag between spiritual as well as creative perspectives which defines our ability to reason in a particular way. On the scientific front, Aristotle stands out for his immense contribution towards the creation of enabling an environment for environmental start-ups which contributes to the paradigm shift in how people communicate and interact with issues such as internet playing an integral component of attaining better life based on service delivery (Michalos 293). Plato too looks at the impact of our actions to influence how we reason, meaning that his perspective is still relevant in the current day and age. The moral truth in our life, according to Plato is embedded in the ability to look at life from the specs of well-thought reasoning. Both Plato and Aristotle all contribute towards increasing the ability to reason, even though Plato was a teacher and mentor to the Aristotle, whom both differed in ideologies but had positions which were justified.
Kant’s view of dignity in relation to intrinsic and instrumental value
Emanuel Kant views human beings existence based on the respect accorded to them. The comparison of human beings to animal means that the overall existence is left on doing what is right. With humans moving from what is right as a means to an end, it becomes evident that the moral obligation. Human beings usually have desires which determine the direction in which they take (Pless Thomas and Howard 226). When going through life’s setting, for example, the value that people have is tied towards having a better means to an end, hence the process is as important as the final product. When one wants to travel, having a car to help in locomotion from one place to another becomes an essential element in helping you reach your goal.
The intrinsic value of human beings according to Kant is looked at human’s nature to be rational at all levels (Hernandez 3). Hence, he puts more emphasis on the ability to make an individual decision without being coerced. The moral guide in any society’s setting is the reason why people behave in a certain way, based on the dignity that they attach to the action. Human beings thus have a responsibility of maintaining moral worth in all activities that they undertake.
Kant’s view of morality thus surpasses the price which is attached to an action. Hence, the end is the topmost priority so that one does not infringe on the rights of others. Creating this approach ensures that respect is accorded to fellow humans by treating them in a responsible manner. It is ethical to behave in a particular way since the final outcome. We move from one state to another not by design because we not only look at the other party’s ability to reciprocate but what seems to be good or rational. The respect for human’s dignity does not require consent but looks at the duties towards one to have the best outcome.
Works Cited
Hernandez, Jill Graper. "Human Value, Dignity, and the Presence of Others." HEC forum. Vol. 27. No. 3. Springer Netherlands, 2015.
Pless, Nicola M., Thomas Maak, and Howard Harris. "Art, Ethics and the Promotion of Human Dignity." Journal of Business Ethics 144.2 (2017): 223-232.
Porter, Roy, and Bradford McCall. "The Cambridge History of Science: Vol. 4. Eighteenth-Century Science." Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History of Science 4 (2015): 198-200.
Michalos, Alex C. "Education, happiness and wellbeing." Connecting the Quality of Life Theory to Health, Well-being and Education. Springer, Cham, 2017. 277-299.
