To begin my blog on the 2nd Enlightenment movement, I would like to take a piece of writing from chapter one of my PhD;
"In witnessing a grassroots movement arising in small ways by comments made in meetings here and there, I recognised a collective consciousness that is ready for change.
The time is right…
Scotland is going through what appears to be a Second Enlightenment. It is a fascinating experience to feel it arise. Although, no paper has written about it that I am aware of. People talk about it in different circles and spaces.
For example, this past summer, I had friends come and visit and I was keen on sharing with them this beautiful country that I was now living in. It actually was not raining when I took them to the Newhailes Estate National Scottish Trust estate home. The tour guide was very informative and told us about the people who used to live in the home, these residents included those that contributed to the First Enlightenment.
I asked the tour guide if she had heard about Scotland beginning a Second Enlightenment. Her eyes light up, “oh yes”. In what areas I asked, she replied: “technology and science”.
I had personally experienced this Second Enlightenment thinking in management and leadership styles and workshops. Those that were taking the courses were leaders in different sectors of society. Therefore, this was not something that was being witnessed by the up and coming youth but also by those that held leadership positions today, that were empowered to bring those changes to their work settings.
A deliciously smelling hot chocolate sits in front of me as I am leaning in and listening intently in one of my first mentorship sessions with a woman I am honoured to call my mentor and friend. I asked her the same questions. She replied, again eyes lighting up, “oh yes”, this time the answer was in the area of politics.
Perhaps the scene is a perfect setting for change… "
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