Instructions
You will read and analyze a primary source from the time period discussed by this module.
Initial Post Requirements
Your initial post is due by Thursday at 11:59 P.M.
Make sure you fully respond to every aspect of the prompt!
Provide evidence from the primary source to justify your responses.
Follow-up Response Requirements
Your peer response is due by Saturday at 11:59 P.M.
Respond to at least one other student’s post. You can explain whether you agree or disagree with their post and why, or choose to add additional information and context to what they posted.
All responses should be meaningful and add new information or insight to the discussion. Responses that simply say “I agree” or “I like that idea” or similar types of postings will not be counted for credit.
Primary Source
The Enlightenment produced a generally optimistic view of human development; a key premise of the Enlightenment was that humanity was advancing in science and in knowledge and that continued developments in science and knowledge would bring humanity as a whole into an enlightened golden age. The Marquis de Condorcet presented one such argument for the future of humanity in his Sketch of the Progress of the Human Mind. This excerpt, the tenth stage of human progress described in the Marquis de Condorcet’s work, outlines his views of human progress.
The Future Progress of the Human MindDownload The Future Progress of the Human Mind
Prompt: After reading this primary source, answer the following questions in the form of your initial post.
What does this primary source reveal about the cultural values of the Marquis de Condorcet?
To what extent were the ideas the Marquis de Condorcet discussed proven or disproven by later historical developments or by modern events? Justify your answer.
In your view, is the Enlightenment notion that humanity will continue to advance in science and reason accurate or inaccurate? Why do you find this to be the case?
Include evidence from the primary source as you answer.
