1. The Enlightenment

2. What was it? An 18th century intellectual movement
Came about thanks to the scientific revolution
Influenced people that contributed to the American and French Revolutions, and modern ways of thinking

3. Inspiration Medieval times only cared about sin and salvation
Renaissance emphasized worldly matters, but looked to the wisdom of the past
Enlightenment thinkers focused on the future and progress

4. Reason Secular idea Nothing should be accepted on faith
Everything should be submitted to critical examination

5. Idea of Truth Growing travel and literature caused uncertainty
Europeans noticed how people from China, India, and Africa had their own beliefs
Changed their perspectives
Truth is relative, not absolute

6. Social Science
The scientific method can discover the human laws of society, not just nature
Aspects like class, groupings, and society can now be studied
Gave birth to social science

7. Progress The goal is to create better societies and better people
Disregard old traditions and beliefs
Embrace rationalism
Improved economic and social life in the 1700’s

8. Anti-Religion Scientific revolution drew antireligious implications
Was ideology and conformity really necessary?
Could religious truth ever be known with absolute certainty?
For both questions, they found no to be the answer

9. Pierre Bayle
Critically examined past religious beliefs and persecutions
Concluded nothing could be known beyond all doubt
Created skepticism

10. John Locke Discussed how humans learns
Humans are like a blank tablet at birth
So, every person has the equal right to happiness and liberty
Influenced our Founding Fathers

11. Montesquieu Focused the ideas of the enlightenment on the government
Promoted liberty and despised tyranny
Argued for a separation of powers
Influenced our founding fathers and leaders of the French Revolution

12. Voltaire Critical of the catholic church Hated religious intolerance
Being kind and religious should be good enough
Praised religious tolerance
Influenced our Founding Fathers

13. Immanuel Kant Promoted learning from the enlightenment
Believed thinkers should exercise their reason in public
First to praise free speech
Influenced our Founding Fathers

14. Jean-Jaques Rosseau
Questioned reason and the ideas of the Enlightenment
Believed warm feelings were more important than cold intellect
Civilizations and society attacked the individual
Influenced the people of romanticism on the 1800’s