Third Essay

The basic instructions here are the same, so please, use direct quotes, contextualize your argument with the third unit's readings, cite any outside source (but please don't purposefully do additional research).

 PLEASE DO NOT PROOF OR SHARE ANOTHER PERSON'S PAPER UNTIL YOU HAVE WRITTEN YOUR OWN. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO AVOID PLAGIARISM - WHICH IS NOT JUST THE DIRECT COPYING, BUT ALSO THE USE OF OTHER PEOPLE'S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN. THIS OFTEN CAN HAPPEN UNCONSCIOUSLY. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THIS IS TO WRITE YOUR OWN ARGUMENT BEFORE READING OTHER PEOPLE'S.

For this essay, I want you to focus upon the third group of readings. To what degree do you think that the enlightenment goal of social sciences and a planned "good society" was a failure that has yielded dystopia? In other words, has the enlightenment failed in its attempt to envision a better world, and to change the course of human history in a more positive direction through the careful study of politics, economics, culture, and society?  Why or why not?  If yes, why did the fail? If no, then why did they succeed? You might be tempted to consider what the enlightenment yielded, ultimately, on the scorecard of history, but don't do additional research.

Remember that the best essays, in any discipline, are those which  acknowledge and confront the best ideas that oppose their own.

As always, let me know if you have questions.