American Enlightenment The Declaration of Independence John Trumbull, 1818

Big Ideas of the American Enlightenment Rationalism Science God as Clockmaker Deism Community Service Self- Improvement Thomas Jefferson’s MonticelloMonticello

Rationalism Truthreason Truth comes from reason ◦not from authority of the past ◦not from religion ◦not from emotion or intuition created God created the universe ◦but does not interfere rules discovered God’s rules of the universe can be discovered, ◦but only through reason source image source Sir Isaac Newton ( ) Clockmaker Logic and reason God as Clockmaker who created the perfect mechanism of the universe and left it to run. Logic and reason are God’s gift to help us understand the universe.

Rationalism A Priori Knowledge Some ideas are true independent of experience  Innate Ideas Some ideas are present from birth Logical Necessity Some things cannot be conceived of as otherwise source image source

Deism good Universe is orderly and good good Humanity is good perfectible Individual is perfectible through reason happiness God’s objective is happiness of creation (all creatures) united Sought principles that united all religions available God is available to all people all of the time help others Best form of worship is to help others Elements of Literature source

Self-Improvement: for a nation and for individuals Toward Perfection Self-evident truths Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness All men are created equal What elements of Rationalism and Deism is the Declaration of Independence based upon?

Benjamin Franklin One today is worth two tomorrows. He that composes himself is wiser than he who composes books. Fish and visitors smell in three days. Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked and never well mended. A small leak will sink a great ship. Aphorisms from Poor Richard’s Almanack source

Achieving Moral Perfection from The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin Temperance Silence Order Resolution Frugality Industry Sincerity Justice Moderation Cleanliness Tranquility Chastity Humility See packet, page 29

Enlightenment Art The Treaty of Penn with the Indians The Treaty of Penn with the Indians ( ) Benjamin West

In groups of 3 or 4, create a skit that represents a moral that you believe students at Parkway North exhibit or lack on a daily basis. Cannot be temperance or chastity!