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| Progress a man's distinctive mark alone, not God's , and not the beasts' - Robert Browning (1864) We are living in the shadow of our achievements. Our compelling, technology rich, supercharged world is one born of explosive growth (P.Whybrow p.1)....how is it working for us is the question? This book will elude these questions and hopefully answer some questions I sometimes ponder. Book club, anyone? :) |
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| Those sweet little snow birds:juncos. |
So, why this? Well, I have always been one to embrace the thoughts and philosophies of the European Enlightenment. And, I think, after a semester of teaching this very thing....have kind of fell in love with its reasoning and purpose in American history. After all, our social ideals in forming the constitution and Declaration of Independence was formed on these very principals carved from the Scientific Revolution. Thomas Paine, John Locke, Voltaire, Descartes, Hobbes, Comenieus, Copernicus, Newton, Galileo, Thomas Jefferson, Olympe (only female and then executed) and so many more. This book embraces those very thoughts that I have been contemplating and as luck would have it, found this gem I will soon read. Have we taken steps backwards in thoughts? Are we continuing to value the very essence and reasoning our forefathers had established? Here. Read some words of these men/women:
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| Thomas Paine |
His father’s religion undoubtedly influenced Paine’s humanitarianism, and a strong interest in Newtonian science helped him develop a hatred for governments that rested on hereditary privilege.
Paine immigrated (notice this word....did you know 22 million immigrated to the USA?...it's kind of what we are all about.) to Philadelphia in 1774 and soon became acquainted with advocates of political change. In January 1776, he published Common Sense, the first pamphlet to advocate American independence. It outlined ideas that would remain central to Paine’s thought: the superiority of republican government over a monarchical system, equality of rights among all citizens, and the world significance of the American Revolution. Paine
transformed the struggle over the rights of English people into a contest with meaning for people everywhere. In a world ‘overrun with oppression,’ America would be ‘an asylum for mankind.’ (Thomas Paine)
transformed the struggle over the rights of English people into a contest with meaning for people everywhere. In a world ‘overrun with oppression,’ America would be ‘an asylum for mankind.’ (Thomas Paine)
What a powerful philosophy he embraced. His rewards? To be imprisoned. Treated terribly and looked upon as if he was an outcast. Thanks to these thoughts, though, we carved that 'mankind' and equity of a vision he had for our country.
Moreover, the more advances of our scientific world equals the more advances in our thinking as a whole society; hence, the basis for the European Enlightenment. Many discoveries were taking place among many natural philosophers/scientists. On the other hand, less scientific thoughts - exploration - learning would equal less thought provoking ideals and philosophies being shaped/formed by the masses of society. Yes, I think it's time we should explore more why's...more science for our kids.......we need it. progress. understanding. philosophy. humanity. We are all in this together as a planet.
Most all scientific philosophers all wanted this one thing to be understood through their writing: equality needed for all (social justice).....and an end to all heredity empowerment.......education without any form of discrimination......break up the classes....discovery of science and a closer understanding of how humanity works best for everyone.
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| Olympe de Gouges |
One of the only women of this time period of social change and scientific advancements was Olympe de Gouges....(she was guillotined for her thoughts and publications).
She became active in political causes and took up social issues that ranged from better roads to divorce, maternity hospitals, and the rights of orphaned children and of unmarried mothers, and she wrote prolifically in defense of her ideas. Among her plays was L’Esclavage des noirs (“Slavery of Blacks”), which was staged at the Théâtre-Français. In 1791, as the French Revolution continued, she published the pamphlet Déclaration des droits de la femme et de la citoyenne (“Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the [Female] Citizen”) as a reply to theDeclaration of the Rights of Man and of the [Male] Citizen (Déclaration des Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen), which had been adopted two years earlier by the National Assembly. In her pamphlet she asserted not only that women have the same rights as men but also that children born outside of marriage should be treated as fairly as “legitimate” children in matters of inheritance.
What a brave woman of her time........and she paid the ultimate price for her thoughts that were publicated.
After my Rachel Carson book, yes, ...I will add this one. I will be letting you know of this journey. Sharing my thoughts as I go.
On a different note:
Hillary has enjoyed a fun day of sledding and also playing with Jayla. I shoveled some snow (yes, in Tennessee !)....did some housework, cooked some, and took a ride to the store with my mama & papa.
Cooper and Brock went to a movie with Grammy and Pappy....they couldn't stay cooped up -----grandparents couldn't either.
Yesterday, late night walk.....tonight again too.......after feeding those hungry ones in the barn. Pictures to follow.
