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Wollstonecraft's use of the phrase "natural cunning" in the first paragraph was most likely connected to which development of the Enlightenment?

A) The preservation of Greek moral and natural philosophy
B) Philosophers developed new political ideas about the individual, natural rights, and the social contract
C) The growth of export economies focused on the extraction of natural resources
D) Debates about the nature and cause of climate change

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The phrase 'natural cunning' used by Mary Wollstonecraft is most likely related to the Enlightenment development of new political ideas concerning individual, natural rights, and the social contract.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mary Wollstonecraft's usage of the phrase "natural cunning" in the context of the Enlightenment likely refers to the discussions around natural rights and social contracts. The Enlightenment era was characterised by the development of political theories that championed the inherent rights of individuals, which were thought to come from nature rather than being granted by rulers or society. In this intellectual climate, philosophers like John Locke and Voltaire argued for the importance of political liberties that could not be restrained.

Wollstonecraft’s position is aligned with Enlightenment concepts that challenged traditional power structures and promoted the ideals of individual freedom and equality. Thus, the phrase "natural cunning" would most likely be connected to B) Philosophers developing new political ideas about the individual, natural rights, and the social contract. These developments sought to ensure that the cunning, or the ability to navigate one's life and decisions, was not attributed to unnatural societal constraints but to the individual's inherent abilities and rights.

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