Final answer:
The persecution of scientists for their discoveries is a piece of evidence that supports the author's argument regarding the Enlightenment and reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
One piece of evidence that would support the author's argument regarding the Enlightenment and reform is the persecution of scientists for their discoveries. During the Enlightenment, scientists like Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton faced opposition and persecution from religious and political authorities for challenging traditional beliefs and promoting scientific methods of observation and reason. This demonstrates the resistance to change and the need for reform in institutions influenced by the Enlightenment.