The Enlightenment

Philosophical movement in the 17 th century in Europe Emphasis on Science, logic and reason, moving away from tradition and superstition

Enlightenment: Origins

Scientific Revolution Inventions of new scientific instruments allowed people to analyze the world in a new way – Telescope (1609) – Microscope (1590)

Enlightenment Terms State of Nature: time before human civilization Virtue: behavior showing high moral standards – Self sacrifice for the good of the state – Ex. Horatio at the Bridge

Tools of the Enlightenment 1. Scientific Method: process to answer questions – Question – Research – Hypothesis – Experiment – Analysis – Conclusion 2. Logic: using reasoning to answer a question

“I think, therefore I am” – Rene Descartes

Enlightenment and God Theists: Traditional belief in God and religion Deism: Belief in God in science without religion influencing the world Pantheism: Belief in God through nature Atheism: NO GOD, ONLY SCIENCE!!!!

Royal Academy of Sciences, Paris

Natural History Collections James Petiver’s Beetles (London apothecary)

Private Collections The Origins of Modern Museums.

A Parisian Salon

The Salonnieres Madame Geoffrin ( ) Mademoiselle Julie de Lespinasse (1732*-1776) Madame Suzanne Necker ( )

Centers of the Enlightenment

The Characteristics of the Enlightenment 1. Rationalism  reason is the arbiter of all things. 2. Cosmology  a new concept of man, his existence on earth, & the place of the earth in the universe. 3. Secularism  application of the methods of science to religion & philosophy.

The Characteristics of the Enlightenment 4. Scientific Method  Mathematical analysis  Experimentation  Inductive reasoning.  Utilitarianism  the greatest good for the greatest number.  Tolerance  No opinion is worth burning your neighbor for.

The Characteristics of the Enlightenment 7. Optimism & Self-Confidence  The belief that man is intrinsically good.  The belief in social progress.  Freedom  Of thought and expression.  Bring liberty to all men (modern battle against absolutism).  Education of the Masses

The Characteristics of the Enlightenment 10. Legal Reforms  Justice, kindness, and charity  no torture or indiscriminant incarceration.  Due process of law.  Constitutionalism  Written constitutions  listing citizens, rights.  Cosmopolitanism.  Being immersed and comfortable in other cultures

The “Great Debate” Reason & Logic Traditions and Superstitions  rationalis m  empiricis m  tolerance  skepticis m  Deism  nostalgia for the past  organized religions  irrationalism  emotionalism

Enlightenment Philosophers

Thomas Hobbes John Locke Montesquieu Roseau Voltaire (my favorite!) Adam Smith

Voltaire’s “Wisdom” (I) ► E► E► E► Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do. ► G► G► G► God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. ► I► I► I► If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. ► I► I► I► It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong. ► L► L► L► Love truth and pardon error.

Voltaire’s “Wisdom” (II) ► J► J► J► Judge of a man by his questions rather than by his answers. ► M► M► M► Men are equal; it is not birth, but virtue that makes the difference. ► P► P► P► Prejudice is opinion without judgment. ► T► T► T► The way to become boring is to say everything. ► I► I► I► I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Enlightened Despotism

Frederick the Great of Prussia Prussia: German state Reformed military – Rigid discipline – Promoted based on merit “First servant of the State” Expanded Prussia Most powerful German state

Prussia map

Catherine the Great (r ) ► German Princess Sophie Friederike Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst. ► – 1796.

Catherine the Great Reduced power of clergy Tried to write a Constitution for Russia

Enlightenment Philosophers John Locke Baron de Montesquieu Voltaire

John Locke ( ) Humans are inherently good Virtue can be learned Human beings need to be free – Should be ruled through conviction, not fear Social Contract – Life, Liberty, Property Divine Right of Kings total nonsense

Baron de Montesquieu Books written: Spirit of the Laws, Persian Letters 3 Types of Government: – Monarchy – Republic – Despotism Separation of Powers

Voltaire’s “Wisdom” (I) ► E► E► E► Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do. ► G► G► G► God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. ► I► I► I► If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. ► I► I► I► It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong. ► L► L► L► Love truth and pardon error.

Voltaire’s “Wisdom” (II) ► J► J► J► Judge of a man by his questions rather than by his answers. ► M► M► M► Men are equal; it is not birth, but virtue that makes the difference. ► P► P► P► Prejudice is opinion without judgment. ► T► T► T► The way to become boring is to say everything. ► I► I► I► I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.