Definitions and IDs “Cogito ergo sum” Deism

Questions and Imperatives Describe the Enlightenment of the 18 th century, including what influenced philosophers and scientists of the 17 th and 18 th centuries. What were the major points made by Immanuel Kant in his essay, “What is Enlightenment?” Describe an enlightened despot and give examples. How do people construct ideas of progress? (Class discussion)

How do people construct ideas of progress?

A Rebirth of Philosophy Rationalism – Use of deductive reason to explain mankind – Descartes, Pascal Empiricism – Observation and experimentation – Takes us into Enlightenment – No longer in solitude, but need to interact and debate – Hobbes, Locke, Kant

The Enlightenment Philosophes “Have the courage to use your own intelligence! “Enlightenment is man’s leaving his self-caused immaturity. Immanuel Kant, – German philosopher – When faced with a moral choice… – All that is required for enlightenment is FREEDOM…to make public use of reason

Immanuel Kant ( ) Let’s look at one of Kant’s essays – “What is Enlightenment?”

Rene Descartes ( ) “Father of modern philosophy” French mathematician, scientist, philosopher Taught by Jesuits Reliance on reason, beyond theological debate Time of Scientific Revolution Held back some of his own work because of what happened to Galileo Cogito ergo sum

Blaise Pascal ( ) French Mathematician Need for God Science could destroy spiritual values

Thomas Hobbes ( ) Leviathan – philosophy of political and natural science Need for King’s sovereignty No evil spirits… fled England due to Civil wars

John Locke ( ) Disagreed with Hobbes about the monarch Two Treatises of Government Influenced by England’s revolution

“Enlightened Despots” Who? Where? When? Why?

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What effect did the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution have on the common people? – Today’s technological revolution and the “common people?”