The Enlightenment

Introduction to the Age of the Enlightenment 18th Century Europe England and France

The Enlightenment The Age of Reason

What do you think the lightbulb represents?

(18th century Enlightenment) Age of Reason (18th century Enlightenment) Natural laws apply to government as well as science! Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property A FAIR society is based on REASON, not “Divine Right” Enlightenment thinkers thought that like laws in natural science, there were laws governing human society. Laws of nature (natural laws) give people rights of life, liberty and property. Men can build a fair society based on reason (rationality). They challenged the theory of "Divine Right of Kings."   Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau – Famous Thinkers – their ideas inspire revolutions REVOLUTION!!!

The Age of Reason Scientific Revolution convinced many European thinkers about power of reason Scientific method and reason led to discoveries about physical world Wondered if reason could be used to study human nature, society New generation of philosophers, 1600s Viewed reason as best way to understand truth Concluded reason could be used to solve all human problems This time of optimism now called the Enlightenment

What is the Enlightenment? THE ENLIGHTENMENT OCCURRED B/W 1650 -1789 Thinkers believed reason could be used to uncover the laws that govern human life Once the laws were known people could make society better Believed that reason was a much better guide than faith or tradition Reason is the “light” that reveals human error and showed the way to truth

Defining the Enlightenment: Everything was Questioned! What society worked best? Why were laws unjust? How did the universe operate? Was there a God? Was the Earth really 4,000 years old? Were there natural laws that governed people? Who had the power to rule? How did the human mind work?

Defining The Age of Enlightenment A period of intellectual exchange in Europe during the 18th century Belief in the idea of “progress” A desire for political and social change

Defining the Enlightenment These thinkers believed that human reason could be used to combat ignorance, superstition, and tyranny and to build a better world.

What is the Enlightenment? The intellectuals of the Enlightenment (called Philosophes) believed: The universe could be understood through reason Everything in nature could be explained by natural laws—universal truths found through observation (Religion is not necessary to understand the world)

What is the Enlightenment? The belief in progress—the world can be improved upon & perfected People have natural rights—personal freedoms that allow people to enjoy liberty (no restrictions on speech, religion, or the economy)

Central Concepts of the Enlightenment A. The methods of natural science should be used to understand all aspects of life - through the use of REASON B. Discover the natural laws of human society as well as the natural world (“social science”) C. The idea of progress - The confidence in human power, human reason to improve society

Central concepts of the Enlightenment [cont] Reason D. Rejection of superstition and tradition E. Tolerance and equality F. Deism - God does not intervene in the world through miracles; he created the world, and then removed himself from it

Defining the Enlightenment *a period of intellectual growth that led to the development of new ideas on society, government, philosophy, economics, and religion. *marks the beginning of the modern world. *Can be captured in the words of Immanuel Kant: “Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own understanding is therefore the motto of the Enlightenment.” Left Side of Notes: What do you think this motto means? Does this motto relate to our world today? Why or why not?

Why do you think the man is naked, out in nature, and also working on geometry with the protractor?

Defining The Enlightenment Belief in the supremacy of reason over pleasure; conviction that humans could perfect society through the application of the intellect to human affairs Science takes its place for the first time

Knowledge is Power! This year thus far we have learned about how the Catholic Church and Absolute Monarchs saw new ideas and education as threats to be suppressed. WHY? How does this tie in the Enlightenment?

Defining The Enlightenment Principal targets: Religion and the domination of society by hereditary aristocracy. In other words, the church and the state, who often worked hand-in-hand.

New Theories/ ideas that hold strong Belief in Progress Through reason a better society was possible through progress we would continue to expand our knowledge in the sciences Secular Outlook More worldly view of life church is continuing to lose power questioning of all church beliefs Importance Of the Individual own ability to reason importance of the in society Individual achievement

Major Enlightenment Ideas Every social, political and economic problem could be solved through the use of reason Governments are created to secure an orderly society Separation of powers is the best way to protect human liberties All men are created “free and equal” A free market should be allowed to regulate trade

Enlightenment Thinkers The market price of every particular commodity is regulated by the proportion between the quantity which is actually brought to market, and the demand of those who are willing to pay the natural price of the commodity or the whole value of the rent, labor and profit which must be paid in order to bring it thither. Enlightenment Thinkers In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing. ~Baron de Montesquieu The Spirit of Laws Bk. VI, Ch.2 The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property. ~Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations Vol.I, bk.1, ch.7 ~John Locke Second Treatise of Government ChXIX, “Of the Dissolution in Government”

Causes and Effects of the Enlightenment—America & Europe Religious Fanaticism Witch trials Beginning of a merchant class—aka bourgeoisie Landed Aristocracy Monarchies Church & State united Church = Truth Effects Deism—”natural law” Rise of merchant class—aka bourgeoisie Science/Logic/Reason = Truth Rise of philosophers Revolution x 3 The “perfect” society Separation of Church & State Democracy

Origins of the Enlightenment: Background in Antiquity The application of Aristotelian logic by Thomas Aquinas, Scholasticism, in the 13th century set the stage for the Enlightenment.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Ancients Used Logic to Defend Dogma Aristotle’s logical procedures were used to defend the dogmas of Christianity. Unfortunately for the Catholic Church, the tools of logic could not be confined to Church matters.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Renaissance From sciences, ideas of nature surfaced- study not only gravity or the circulatory system, but also human behavior New sciences of psychology and politics were developed- Social Sciences; political science, geography, sociology, history, civics, economics, etc… Advocates of Enlightenment claim governing laws dictate human nature, society and politics

The Enlightenment—Early Forms Renaissance Humanists (14th & 15th cent.) Argued that proper worship of God involved admiration of his creation, notably His crown of creations: humanity. Celebrating humans worships God better than gloomy priests who preached original sin and repentance Galileo Galilei (1632) Used logic and observation to argue that earth rotates around sun The Church (possessor of Truth) forced him to recant, objecting that Bible clearly stated that the sun moved through the sky. Led to the advancement of science—Isaac Newton

Origins of the Enlightenment: The Renaissance Humanists In the 14th and 15th centuries, "humanists“ celebrated the human race and its capacities. They argued they were worshipping God more appropriately than the priests and monks who harped on original sin and asked people to humble themselves.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Renaissance Focused on Man’s Creativity Some of them claimed that humans were like God, created not only in his image, but with a share of his creative power. The painter, the architect, the musician, and the scholar, by exercising their intellectual powers, were fulfilling divine purposes.

Early Forms Michel de Montaigne (16th Century) Asked “What do I know?” We have no right to impose other dogmas which rest on cultural habit rather than absolute Truth New World = new cultures Morals may be relative If we cannot be certain that our values are God-given, then we have no right to impose them by force on others Popes and kings had no right to enforce adherence to particular religious or philosophical beliefs Doubt is essential to science—test, challenge, ask—to get closer to truth. Authority is science’s enemy

Origins of the Enlightenment: Renaissance Challenged Church Authority In the 16th century, various humanists had begun to ask dangerous questions. François Rabelais, a French monk and physician influenced by Protestantism, challenged the Church's authority, ridiculing many religious doctrines as absurd.

Origins of the Enlightenment Discoveries of Copernicus and other scientists challenge accepted thinking. Renaissance discovery of new classical manuscripts leads scholars to question accepted knowledge. The printing press spreads ideas. Exploration broadens European horizons.

Origins of the Enlightenment: The Scientific Revolution “If I have seen farther than others,” said Newton, “it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” Who were the giants to whom Newton was referring? Could this be said of any scientific accomplishment? Explain. 1 Giants were Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo. Yes, scientific discoveries give scientists a clearer understanding of how the world works. New discoveries lead to further questions for investigation and more discoveries.

During the Scientific Revolution, people began to believe that the scientific method allowed them to find answers to their questions As a result, new ideas began in areas outside of science: Especially criticizing absolute monarchy & think of new ideas about government

Scientific Revolution Leads to Enlightenment 1500-1700: European scientists using reason to discover laws of nature Very successful: Planetary movements, chemistry, vaccine for smallpox, etc. Early 1700’s: If people used reason to find laws that governed the physical world, why not use reason to discover natural laws? Laws that govern human nature Reformers begin studying human nature and societal problems

Political & Economic Background Wealth from Asia & Americas catapulted a new class of merchants into prominence, partially displacing the aristocracy whose power had been rooted in land ownership These bourgeoisie had there own ideas about the world—main agents of change in the arts, government, and the economy Naturally convinced that their earnings were result of their individual merit and hard work Absolutist kings and dogmatic churches were the biggest obstacle to change for the merchant class

Origins of the Enlightenment: Economic Change During the late Middle Ages, peasants had begun to move from rural estates to the towns in search of increased freedom and prosperity.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Economic and PoliticalChange As trade and communication improved during the Renaissance, the ordinary town-dweller began to realize that things need not always go on as they had for centuries. People could write new charters, form new governments, pass new laws, begin new businesses.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Economic and Social Changes Wealth from Asia & Americas catapulted a new class of merchants into prominence, partially displacing the aristocracy whose power had been rooted in land ownership These bourgeoisie had their own ideas about the world—main agents of change in the arts, government, and the economy Naturally convinced that their earnings were result of their individual merit and hard work Absolutist kings and dogmatic churches were the biggest obstacle to change for the merchant class

Origins of The Enlightenment: Social Class Changes Most important, the middle classes—the bourgeoisie—were painfully aware that they were paying taxes to support a fabulously expensive aristocracy that contributed nothing of value to society.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Social Class Changes They were naturally convinced that their earnings were the result of their individual merit and hard work, unlike the inherited wealth of aristocrats. The ability of individual effort to transform the world became a European dogma, lasting to this day.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Social Changes—Impoverished Masses They were to find ready allies in France among the impoverished masses who realized that they were paying higher and higher taxes to support the lifestyle of the idle rich at Versailles.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Social---Role of the Aristocrats Interestingly, it was among those very idle aristocrats that the French Enlightenment philosophers were to find some of their earliest and most enthusiastic followers.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Political and Religious Repression The 17th century was torn by witch-hunts, wars of religion, and imperial conquest.

The 17th century scene: Dogma & Fanaticism Witch-hunts and wars of religion Protestants & Catholics denounced each other as followers of Satan People imprisoned for attending wrong church All publications censored by church and state Slavery widely practiced, defended by religious leaders Despotism of monarchs=“divine right of kings” Any opposition was imprisoned or executed Reason and Logic had no room for these matters

Origins of the Enlightenment: Religious Intolerance Protestants and Catholics denounced each other as followers of Satan and people could be imprisoned for attending the wrong church or for not attending any.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Censorship All publications, whether pamphlets or scholarly volumes, were subject to prior censorship by both church and state.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Despotism The despotism of monarchs exercising far greater powers than any medieval king was supported by the doctrine of the "divine right of kings," and scripture quoted to show that revolution was detested by God.

Origins of the Enlightenment: Exploration and Slavery Slavery was widely practiced, especially in the colonial plantations of the Western Hemisphere, and its cruelties frequently defended by leading religious figures..

Origins of The Enlightenment: Exploration The Impact of Travel Literature Captain James Cook, Travels Literature on China New discovery of the Pacific Island of Tahiti , New Zealand and Australia by James Cook His accounts became a best seller. Tahitians as natural man who were far happier than Europeans.The idea of the “noble savage “ emerges. Highly developed civilizations like China Confucian morality as superior to the intolerable attitudes of Christians.

The Age of Enlightenment in Europe ©2003 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. “Dare to know” – Immanuel Kant Scientific method to understand life The Age of Enlightenment in Europe