Question
Know, then, thyself, presume not God to scan;
The proper study of mankind is man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great
–An Essay on Man,
Alexander Pope
What feature of Enlightenment thought does Pope express in these lines?
A: concern with understanding humankind’s place in the universe
B: interest in promoting human equality
C: belief in popular superstitions
D: application of scientific solutions to social problems
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The feature of Enlightenment thought that Pope expresses in these lines is:
A: concern with understanding humankind’s place in the universe.
In the excerpt, Pope reflects on the nature of humanity and its role in the broader context of existence, which aligns with the Enlightenment focus on reason, self-examination, and the quest for knowledge about humankind's place in the cosmos.
A: concern with understanding humankind’s place in the universe.
In the excerpt, Pope reflects on the nature of humanity and its role in the broader context of existence, which aligns with the Enlightenment focus on reason, self-examination, and the quest for knowledge about humankind's place in the cosmos.