American Literature Neoclassicism and the Enlightenment a.k.a. the Age of Reason (Rationalism)

Let’s Party Like It’s 1699! The 18 th century was a period of major change in American ideas and ideals. The 18 th century was a period of major change in American ideas and ideals. A group of intellectuals started a cultural revolution known as the Age of Reason or the Enlightenment that reformed society by focusing more on reason rather than religion and tradition. A group of intellectuals started a cultural revolution known as the Age of Reason or the Enlightenment that reformed society by focusing more on reason rather than religion and tradition. They also put more of a focus on science and its relation to the world. They also put more of a focus on science and its relation to the world.

Enlightenment for Everyone! Although the Enlightenment was present in many countries, they all had different agendas. However, the common goals of progress, of tolerance, and the removal of abuses in Church and state were static throughout. Although the Enlightenment was present in many countries, they all had different agendas. However, the common goals of progress, of tolerance, and the removal of abuses in Church and state were static throughout. There was also a great emphasis upon liberty, democracy, and republicanism. There was also a great emphasis upon liberty, democracy, and republicanism.

A Christian Man No Longer? Enlightenment thinkers de-emphasized “grace” and “pre- destination” in favor of “moral choice” and scientific inquiry (“virtue,” “order,” “reason,” “sympathy”). Enlightenment thinkers de-emphasized “grace” and “pre- destination” in favor of “moral choice” and scientific inquiry (“virtue,” “order,” “reason,” “sympathy”). Most also felt divine communication was not necessary. Most also felt divine communication was not necessary. They believed nature was revelation enough, showing all that needed to be known of God. They believed nature was revelation enough, showing all that needed to be known of God. And, now, man was free to postulate his own theories of existence and ideas about earth and its relation to the sun. And, now, man was free to postulate his own theories of existence and ideas about earth and its relation to the sun.

Say What?!?! Also, because of this new-found, free-thinking philosophy, man’s previously held concepts of conduct and thought could now be challenged verbally and in written form; fears of being labeled a heretic or being burned at the stake were done away with. Also, because of this new-found, free-thinking philosophy, man’s previously held concepts of conduct and thought could now be challenged verbally and in written form; fears of being labeled a heretic or being burned at the stake were done away with. This was the beginning of an open society where individuals were free to pursue individual happiness and liberty. This was the beginning of an open society where individuals were free to pursue individual happiness and liberty.

And, Why the Sudden Change of Heart? During this time, great changes occurred in scientific thought and exploration. New ideas filled the horizon and man was eager to explore these ideas freely. During this time, great changes occurred in scientific thought and exploration. New ideas filled the horizon and man was eager to explore these ideas freely. Some of this was because of the Industrial Revolution ( ) Some of this was because of the Industrial Revolution ( )

Read All About It The Industrial Revolution allowed for consumer goods to be produced in greater quantities at lower prices, encouraging the spread of books, pamphlets, newspapers and journals, helping to easily spread the new way of thought. The Industrial Revolution allowed for consumer goods to be produced in greater quantities at lower prices, encouraging the spread of books, pamphlets, newspapers and journals, helping to easily spread the new way of thought.

Discover Much? Technological advances greatly improved scientific instruments such as the microscope, leading to the discovery of the cell and the thermometer. Technological advances greatly improved scientific instruments such as the microscope, leading to the discovery of the cell and the thermometer. And led to the invention of new instruments such as And led to the invention of new instruments such as – the ophthalmoscope for looking inside the eye. –the sphygmograph for measuring blood pressure.

Discover Much? Other inventions and discoveries include: Other inventions and discoveries include: –The lightening rod –The improved steam engine and first steam ship –The flush toilet –Circular saw –Bi-focal lens –Gas turbine –Cotton gin –Small pox vaccination –Batteries –Paper sheet making machine

Sir Isaac Newton: The Big Wig (no pun intended) Discovered the binomial theorem (elementary algebra) Discovered the binomial theorem (elementary algebra) Invented differential calculus Invented differential calculus Made the first calculations of the moon's attraction by the earth Made the first calculations of the moon's attraction by the earth Described the laws of motion of classical mechanics Described the laws of motion of classical mechanics Formulated the theory of universal gravitation Formulated the theory of universal gravitation

Deism Many of the free thinkers who embraced this new view on life (including Jefferson and Franklin) called themselves “Deists.” Many of the free thinkers who embraced this new view on life (including Jefferson and Franklin) called themselves “Deists.” They believed in one God, but rejected many of the traditional views held by the church and organized religion as well as many of the supernatural aspects of religion (miracles, the Trinity, and the belief the Bible is 100% accurate.) They believed in one God, but rejected many of the traditional views held by the church and organized religion as well as many of the supernatural aspects of religion (miracles, the Trinity, and the belief the Bible is 100% accurate.)

The Puritans can Take Their Buckled Shoes and Shove ‘Em! The Deists believed humankind is naturally good, as opposed to the Puritan belief that all people were either born into salvation or damned to hell. The Deists believed humankind is naturally good, as opposed to the Puritan belief that all people were either born into salvation or damned to hell. They also thought the more we understand and sympathize with each other, the richer our social and spiritual lives will be. They also thought the more we understand and sympathize with each other, the richer our social and spiritual lives will be.

Neoclassicism: Those Greeks Had It Right… Neoclassicism drew inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome and emulated their style and tradition. Neoclassicism drew inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome and emulated their style and tradition. Used rhetoric, reason, logic, and the Socratic method in writing and analyzing. Used rhetoric, reason, logic, and the Socratic method in writing and analyzing. Focused on restraint rather than emotion so the reader could draw their own conclusions. Focused on restraint rather than emotion so the reader could draw their own conclusions. Language was dignified and refined. Language was dignified and refined.

Rhetoric Today this term means “the art of speaking or writing effectively (especially persuasive speaking or writing).” In Franklin’s time the term meant the same thing, but more precisely it stood for “the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times.” Logic A system of rules used to express reasoning Reason If one is “rational,” then he has the ability “to reason.” What does it mean to reason? Reasoning is a type of thinking used to seek a truth through cause and effect and through drawing conclusions. Socratic Method A technique in which a debater does not argue directly but instead asks a series of questions, with the result that the opponent comes either to the desired knowledge by answering the questions or to a deeper awareness of the limits of his knowledge.

Should We Be Wearing Togas? Writing, especially poetry, was seen as having a public function; it was not seen as a means for private, individual expression. Writing, especially poetry, was seen as having a public function; it was not seen as a means for private, individual expression. A mode through which timeless truths could be imparted. A mode through which timeless truths could be imparted. These were more or less “self-help” pieces These were more or less “self-help” pieces

Order and Virtue These free thinkers also believed we should organize our lives into an ordered sequence of reasoned and virtuous thoughts and behaviors. These free thinkers also believed we should organize our lives into an ordered sequence of reasoned and virtuous thoughts and behaviors. Aim is “human perfection,” meaning humans should perfect themselves for themselves and by themselves not for anyone else or for a greater being. Aim is “human perfection,” meaning humans should perfect themselves for themselves and by themselves not for anyone else or for a greater being.