During the Enlightenment, Western European thinkers used the Orient as a) a means of critiquing their own society b) a means of demonstrating the superiority of their society c) BOTH a) and b) d) Neither a) nor b)

During the Enlightenment, Western European thinkers used the Orient as a means of critiquing their own society and a means of demonstrating the superiority of their society.

Explanation:

Orientalism -

According to Orientalism -

1. The academic study of the orient, teaching and writing about them.

2. The way of thinking based on the ontological and epistemological distinction between the Western and eastern countries. orientals and Occidentals differ greatly and only westerns can produce knowledge of the orient.

3. A way of defining and commanding the orient. Western states dominates the orients on matter of intellect and economics.

Orientalism does not distinguish between different peoples in the east. This leads to a static view of the orient - opposite to the progress in the west.

Hence,

Correct option is (c) both a and b.