The way I understood the enlightment thinker’s views is that they are trying to get the people to realize that the development of critical thinking is the tool to being independent and savvy. If one tries to analyze and and apply thought into different life factors, then that is the best way to progress instead of relying on others views. They even go to challenge religious aspects since they state that humans shouldn’t look up to “divine or priestly authority” rather should base what they are trying to learn on what they have already experienced and gain knowledge from. They also looked up to science and technological innovation as the tools to improving humanity. My initial reaction to these texts were familiarity, I believe many of the present views sprouted from the enlighten thinkers. For example, Immanuel Kant encourages that in order for a government to work for the common good, it should open discussion and debate to the public. This basically resembles United States government in which they try to represent the people and their voice. An aspect I completely agree with is an important view the enlighten thinkers had which was to “leave the past behind and to focus on the future.” I believe that this type of thinking lead humanity in the present to keep looking for options and ways to improve life through technological and scientific innovation.