Chapters 16, 17 & 18

In Chapters 16 & 17, the literature covers concepts that a new human society is emerging, Strayer calls it a "modern era."  This way of thinking was developed over Science, French, and Industrial Revolutions. "The French Revolution raised the possibility of re-creating human societies on new foundations.  In neighboring England, the French Revolution stimulated the writer, Mary Wollstonecraft to pen her famous Vindication of the Rights of Women, one of the earliest expressions of a feminist consciousness.  Who made men the exclusive judge, she asked, if woman partake with him of the gift of reason?"  (Strayer, 805)  This form of questioning and thinking captured the elements that it took for societies to get what they wanted in their new futures, especially for women's rights.  It seemed as though societies were moving at a faster pace and people wanted to stay ahead of what was happening.  Things were shifting and people were beginning to take charge and not take anything for granted.

They began to take shape and form a new way of life, changing Western Europe societies.  The changes included the common people as well, which allowed for equality and the chance to come out of living in hardship times.  This also gave people strength to have a say in their political atmosphere, participating in the new society.  Even women were being more valued at this time and finally slavery was also diminishing from this modern era. 

The Enlightenment was flourishing and crossing over to more and more countries.  This type of influence spread and was accepted by modern societies.  Scientists and scholars suggest that this thinking would change the way our world was and is seen, through a more scientific lens.  Answers were being answered about the planet and about ourselves in a more analytical, rational, and precise perspective.  This form of thinking known as, Anthropocene, the age of man.  (Strayer, 773)  This means that human activity is dominating the globe; our environment.  People's influence is taking over and the earth is taking an impact on our human behavior.