How did Enlightenment philosophers both defend and contribute to this cultural development?

Write an essay in which you express and defend your views on the following issues:

Consider the rise of modern science during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
How did Enlightenment philosophers both defend and contribute to this cultural development?
How did elements of scientific reasoning alter conceptions of the origin and limits of human knowledge?
Explain the difference between intrinsic and instrumental goods and how modern science embodies an instrumental approach to the relationship between human beings and the natural world.
Is recognition of our proper place in the context of a vast and ancient universe an essential insight?
How does it affect our understanding of ourselves?
Consider how philosophical and scientific reasoning make a difference to our daily lives. (Of course we all benefit from technological advances that came from these ways of thinking, but that is not the point here.)
In what situations or circumstances of ordinary life is it appropriate to apply philosophical or scientific thinking to seek a solution, resolve a conflict, or make a decision? Imagine you are invited to contribute a post on this topic to a blog about philosophy, like those that appear in The New York Times blog The Stone, the What Is it Like to be a Woman in Philosophy? blog from WordPress, or Philosophy Now magazine.
How would you argue for (or against) the use of philosophical reasoning in everyday life?
The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.
Additional Requirements
Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: Your paper should be formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.
Length: 4–6 typed and double-spaced pages.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.