In England men appear to dominate the literary scene. Not only dominate but set the tone and the rules for what is and is not proper. Amorous Lady is a glorious poem that spits in the face of what is and is not proper. The woman that crafted this piece is not only fighting for the right to make artistic decisions as she chooses she is also fighting for freedom. This may seem like a stretch for some but I do not think so. Women have been taught conformity since the beginning of time. To buck against those standards and refuse to live and act as one chooses is a fight for freedom. My reaction to this poem is pleased. I was pleased by seeing such and assertion of equanimity from a woman so many years ago. Also by publishing outside of England this woman shows ingenuity. Not only is she taking steps to free herself from conformity she is also finding avenues to make her actions public. She will not be free in silence. The publishing of the piece shows other women what standing up for oneself and ones craft looks like.

John Locke

John Locke belief initially is that everyone must be on an equal playing field. Locke described the quest for  knowledge as a journey. The process of seeking knowledge being the most important part of the process. Locke's thought process was convoluted and confusing I will attempt to break down some of the major concepts as I understand them. Determinate changes: According to Locke determinate things  are fixed. Like a table and chair. Yet dependent upon the mind that conjures the thought the same table and chair can mean any number of things. Because of this we as communicators must strive for words that have more universal and concrete meaning.
Most of Locke's writings seemed to be in response to the world around him. The monarchy was losing power at the time of some of Locke's musings. This allowed Locke to " lean unto [his] own understanding. Locke determined that reason and religion were antithetical to finding truth. In order to find truth we need to discuss determinate ideas using clear and concise language. The antithesis of this is religion.
Locke believed in natural law,  natural law being we eat and we reproduce,  unchangeable. In the natural order of things only man has the ability to think land reason therefore wo/man is the superior being because we were born human under natural law.
 Locke’s ideas helped England to set the basis for our legal system, today. Laws at that time were
not codified at the time but due to his way of thinking we were allowed to set in stone some procedures and laws that were concrete and sseperated from enthusiasm.
majority rule separation of legislative etc. right to life liberty and property natural law discovered by reason alone god laws only to whom it is revealed

Lockes ideas also helped to spark the flames of a budding revolution. He believed absolute monarchy is inconsistent with each man born with natural rights. Men only gave them up with tactical consent or when they joined a civilized society.



.

Isaac Newton's Relevancy Today

Sir Isaac Newton's contribution to today's society is immeasurable. The addition of science in to the popular discourse has done so much to advance humanity. The invention of the telescope and all Newton's impact on science and mathematics is still referenced in 2018. Perhaps the technology and theories have progressed and been improved upon. still the switch from conjecture to actual scientific experimentation and theory is a profound shift that not only lingers but shapes the world as we know it. I read Newton's introduction to my child. When she heard that there was an explanation as to why the sky is blue, she was beyond curious. The fact that I was able to give her concrete information, however watered down it may have been, is what some used to call a  miracle. We no longer have to believe in miracles because science is better! The existence of science as opposed to random conjecture ensures that there will be a way to find answers. Newton's great care in using the telescope to break down why the sky was blue furthered Roger Bacon's Scientific theory, whether he knew it or not. Without great minds asking great questions we would be a world without creativity and invention.

Dryden's Satire


Dryden favored subtle wit. In Dryden's day audiences were not so distracted. Televisions, social media, and cellphones have cut the attention span of audiences immensely. I have read articles that suggest the attention span of modern consumers last no longer that one minute. Also, nuance has been lost on modern audiences. Dryden's "Mac Flecknoe," would not appeal to a 2018 popular audience. Unfortunately, subtlety has been lost. Vulgarity reigns supreme in today's popular culture. I believe Dryden would be appalled at the leagues we have fallen. There are very few places satire of Dryden's caliber live. The purpose of today's satire is to shock, first and foremost. Dryden seemed to use satire as a way to socially engage and make commentary on art. Today's purpose is to verbally slander, shock and engage with popular commentary. The days where educated, insightful, and subtly witty literature was actively saute out no longer exists, The attention span of the audience is less than half of what it was. What now exists is and audience oblivious to nuance and unable to engage with a lengthy work. Dryden would have many words to express his disgust.

Have we reached enlightenment?

The enlightenment has been defined - loosely- by a few different concepts. Also, called the "Age of Reason," the enlightenment was a call to intellectualism. Mystical superstitions about the universe were rejected in favor of clear focused arguments that rationalized the human world. The enlightenment also rejected notions of an authoritarian  intellectual figure. Queen nor King should be able to define reality for the people that they should serve.
The question remains, have we reached enlightenment as a society? Yes and No. There are many American movements that could be used as proof of enlightenment. The Civil War - fought to abolish slavery - was a radical act that was in favor of enlightenment principles. The same holds true for The Suffrage Movement, The Civil Rights Movement, the current Women's Equal Pay movement and the current day Black Lives Matter Movement. Just these few examples of American radicalism are in support of enlightenment ideals. Unfortunately the simple fact that these movements are radical shows how we as a society are not enlightened. With women holding the majority of student loan debt it is logical that women should be paid equally for their labor. Underpaid women or less likely to pay back student loans which adds to the national debt crisis. The fact that this type of logic eludes quite a few Americans is preposterous and irrational. Many rational policy arguments are regularly  rejected due to religious reasons. How can we boast a government separated from church and yet make policy based upon the law of God. I believe individuals have reached enlightenment but not society as a whole has seen the same light.

K.J. Edwards

Expectations

I expect my posts will range from mundane to wildly interesting -- I hope! Either way I am looking forward to learning.