THE ENLIGHTENMENT

The Enlightenment

The Origins of Enlightenment? ► RELIGIOUS:  physico-theology –  an attempt (inspired by science) to explain God’s Providence by reference to his work in nature & not primarily through his biblical Word.  support of a “rational” religion, free from mysteries, miracles, and superstitions.

The Origins of Enlightenment? ► RELIGIOUS:  Deism  The belief in the existence of a God or supreme being but a denial of revealed religion, basing one’s belief on the light of nature and reason.  Deists saw no point in any particular religion; they recognized only a distant God, uninvolved in the daily life of man.

The Origins of Enlightenment? ► RELIGIOUS:  Gradually, highly educated Protestants & Catholics thought more about God’s work as revealed through science, rather than through the Scriptures.  Pantheism  The belief that God and nature are one and the same.

Centers of the Enlightenment

The 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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.

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

MINI PROJECT

Overview  Your assignment is to discuss (i.e., teach) and share with us about certain aspects of The Enlightenment.  You will turn in lecture notes at the end of your presentation  In addition, you may want to create a PowerPoint presentation, or use other visual aids for this assignment. However, this is not mandatory.  The presentation will be on Monday, November 21 st and Tuesday November 22 nd. You will receive a grade based on the lecture notes you turn in, and how well your classmates understand the discussion of your topic.  Also, you must create a list of questions to ask of the other groups during the time of the presentations.

Topics 1. Influences on the Enlightenment (ideas of Locke and Newton, scientific revolution, print culture) 2. Voltaire and the philosophes (incorporate the importance of the coffeehouse) 3. Society and the Enlightenment (the Encyclopedia, social science, Adam Smith) 4. Political Thought (Montesquieu, Rousseau) 5. Enlightened Critics of European Empires (Diderot, Kant, Herder) 6. The role of women in the Enlightenment 7. Rococo and Neoclassical art and architecture (don’t forget to compare/contrast to Renaissance/Baroque periods) 8. Enlightened Absolutists (Frederick the Great, Joseph II, Catherine the Great, problems in Poland)  *(Be sure to include a brief biographical presentation on each of your philosophes. This will be part of the introduction to your topic.):