How were people not thinking for themselves before the enlightenment? Give two examples?

Before the Enlightenment, people's thinking was largely influenced by traditional authorities such as the church, monarchy, and societal norms. They relied on these authorities to provide them with knowledge, guidance, and moral values. Here are two examples of how people did not think for themselves before the Enlightenment:

1. Religious Dogma: The dominance of the Catholic Church in Europe during the Middle Ages meant that religious dogma was unquestionably accepted as truth. People did not critically analyze or question the teachings of the church, and any dissenting views were often considered heretical. For example, the concept of heliocentrism proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus, which challenged the geocentric model of the universe supported by the church, was met with strong opposition and condemnation.

2. Absolute Monarchy: Monarchs held absolute power and authority, and their decisions were rarely questioned. People were expected to obey and follow the orders of the monarch without questioning their legitimacy or rationale. For instance, King Louis XIV of France famously declared, "L'État, c'est moi" (I am the state), emphasizing his absolute authority and the lack of individual autonomy or critical thinking among his subjects.

These examples illustrate how people's thinking was constrained by the unquestioned authority of religious institutions and monarchs, limiting their ability to think independently and critically. The Enlightenment challenged these traditional authorities, advocating for reason, individualism, and the importance of questioning established beliefs.