The Age of Enlightenment has a profound impact on our world today. Using reason as the guidebook to governance, ethics, and truth, as opposed to blindly following the authority of a specific group, humanity is able to topple the kings and queens of Europe and usher in a new age of scientific and philosophical thinking (Norton 4). It served as the foundation modern society for centuries. However, this foundation is starting to crumble in the American politics with the newly elected President Trump and his administration.

Donald Trump’s recent executive order to ban Muslims from seven different countries is a direct consequence of individualism. Ever since the 17th century, people feared that commitment to individualism might lead to social alienation and lack of moral responsibility (Norton 3). Donald Trump and supporters of this ban seek a divide between “us” and “them.” In reality, we are all human beings regardless of our background. America is a land of immigrants and by not allowing immigrants in is a complete contradiction to American values.

Donald Trump’s stance on climate change is irrational and deprived of any logical coherence. Despite the abundance of empirical evidence and the general consensus of the scientific community, he still refuses to accept the fact and take the necessary action. Instead, he diminishes the power of the Environmental Protection Agency. This means he is either deliberately ignorant or he is in alignment with special interest who benefit from this. I think it’s both. These kinds of selfish and irrational acts are exactly why monarchs fall and democracy for the people flourish (Norton 6).

Although we thank Enlightenment for advancement in countless subjects, it seems as though the United States government are going back to a period of irrationality and monarchy. Humanity is being divided and we act based on fear rather than reason. It’s time to usher in a new Age of Enlightenment.