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.