A635.1.3.RB_CliffordMarc


21st Century Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was a movement which took place primarily in Europe during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.  Primary ideas of the Enlightenment included individual liberty, tolerance, progress, the source of authority, and the rejection of traditional thinking and status quo (Szalay, 2016).  Kant (1784) explained that “Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-incurred immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's own understanding without the guidance of another. This immaturity is self-incurred if its cause is not lack of understanding, but lack of resolution and courage to use it without the guidance of another.”  Therefore, enlightenment includes developing the courage and determination to explore the real meaning behind the reasons that we behave the way we do.

Matthew Taylor makes the claim that a new age of enlightenment is needed; an enlightenment for the 21st century (Taylor, 2010).  In addition, he suggested that "to live differently, you have to think differently." What he is implying is that we continue to live in accordance with social norms of the past.  Although great changes occurred in the way individuals, cultures, and societies thought and acted during the Age of Enlightenment, if thought and behavior patterns do not continue to progress and develop, they quickly risk becoming obsolete.  It is human nature to accept things that are familiar. Ward (2013) indicated that “Studies have shown that we are all attracted to what is familiar to us.” Taylor (2010) suggested that we need to overcome that natural inclination and "resist our tendencies to make right or true that which is merely familiar and wrong or false that which is only strange."  Heightened self awareness is necessary to prevent us from rejecting information based solely on unfamiliarity. We need to regularly engage in critical thinking when we confront “that which is only strange.”

This tendency, to reject the unfamiliar, has led to many major difficulties throughout human history, but it also repeats itself on a small scale in many ways.  A few weeks ago at a safety meeting one of my coworkers suggested that it would be beneficial for pilots to wear fire retardant clothing (FRC). At first the idea was rejected by the group because of the inconveniences involved.  FRC does not breath as well as other types of clothing, and the heat and humidity of the summer months can make using them unbearable. However, as we discussed the issue more and identified the benefits of FRCs we determined that there was merit to the idea, and we made the suggestion to upper management.

As Taylor (2010) continued his line of thinking he makes the suggestion that society should reject elements of our culture that degrade other people, and that we should dedicate more resources and efforts into researching what develops empathy.  An increasingly empathetic people could potentially reduce bias, conflict, and hate. One of the greatest hurdles that we face as a society is that we all see life through our own eyes. What one person values is not the same as what another person values.  We may not even agree on what it means to be empathetic. Not all cultures and people value empathy equally. Taylor’s (2010) idea of finding ways to develop empathy would only work if empathy were a universal value. However, declaring empathy as a universal value is unempathetic to those who do not value it.  

Taylor (2010) concluded by quoting Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that has.”  Organization leaders should understand that it is their job to establish the environment in which the “small group of thoughtful committed citizens” can emerge, work, and generate creative ideas that can change the organization.  As I become more self-aware and develop and practice critical thinking skills I can overcome the natural tendency to judge merit based on solely on familiarity. This will help me to become a “thoughtful committed citizen” of my organization.


References

Kant, I. (1784). An answer to the question: "What is enlightenment?" Retrieved from http://library.standrews-de.org/lists/CourseGuides/religion/rs-vi/oppressed/kant_what_is_enlightenment.pdf

Szalay, J. (2016, July 7). What was the enlightenment? Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/55327-the-enlightenment.html

Taylor, M. (2010). RSA animate: 21st Century Enlightenment [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC7ANGMy0yo

Ward, D. (2013). The Familiarity Principle of Attraction. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sense-and-sensitivity/201302/the-familiarity-principle-attraction

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