People are constantly saying history is repeating itself; it always does.
Now I do want to put a disclaimer out there – the 18th century is modern.
Anytime after the 1500s is classified as the modern age. I did notice that many of the things that our generation rallies around, such as coffeehouses and international communication, are directly linked with the Enlightenment.
Do you ever wonder to what extent you may be influenced by another period of history? Wonder no longer my friend, for the 18th-century Enlightenment may have more influence on you than you previously thought.
This is going off of some little-known things we do today, which actually have their roots in the Enlightenment.
1. You hang out in cafes.
Ahhh alas, whether it is Starbucks or your local Indie-Cafe, this was a very important part of the culture of the 18th century. Hanging out in coffee shops to discuss literature and philosophies of the day over a cup of coffee – this has to be one of my favorite Enlightenment traditions that has carried over!
2. You constantly refer to natural rights.
Huzzah! Liberty! Independence! Rights do not come from a monarch!!!
This is one of the greatest philosophies out of the Enlightenment Era that you, yes YOU, can decide for yourself how to be governed, and that there is no divinely ordained monarch. This philosophy still serves as one of the cornerstone human rights philosophies, which say that there are greater rights and a higher law above the king.
3. You study Greek and Latin.
Many private schools and homeschools require studies of Greek and Latin, as well as the classics. Do you know your Roman mythology and have an appreciation of the Roman Republic? Alas, friend, an Enlightenment tradition again!
4. You write to your international friends.
Enlightenment thinkers in North America, South America, and Europe exchanged letters with each other discussing philosophies and politics with their friends and like-minded thinkers. When they weren't talking with their local friends in the cafes, they were talking with their international friends about ideas.
Whenever you write to your friends around the world complaining about politics or exchanging ideas (yes, social media is included), you are engaging in sort of a 21st-century "Republic of Letters."
5. You write or read pamphlets.
Like those articles on places like Odyssey or Buzzfeed where pamphleteers type away their opinions and social commentaries on life like I'm doing right now for you. Dear reader, this is another tradition dating back to the Enlightenment where widespread reading caused pamphlets and especially political pamphlets to become very trendy to read.
What do you think? Do you know of any trends or current topics that strongly resemble the Enlightenment Era? Share and leave a comment!
