Past Meets Present: The Underlying Philosophies of the USA

From the early moment of the US colonies, the concept we call “The Enlightenment” played a significant role in the foundational view about the national future and structure.  The Enlightenment itself is generally seen as starting around the latter 17^th century, picking up steam as the Glorious Revolution occurred within England. Over the 350+ years since, many have assumed or hoped that the promises of the Enlightenment would prove true, and yet by the early years of the 21^st century, a general sense of disillusionment has settled over Americans as they slowly realize those promises have proven false. Come join Valencia College Professor Carl Creasman to examine whether the Enlightenment failed in its promise, or perhaps note that the cultural and civic things we observe merely prove out what critics of the Enlightenment like Nietzsche predicted.