The Age of Enlightenment & New Republic Literature Joseph Wright of Derby, “A Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrery”, 1765 J T The Orrery

Enlightenment ~ The Age of Reason During the later part of the 17th century, an elite group of philosophers and scientists greatly challenged faith-based understandings pertaining to the natural world. Scientific inquiry and reason greatly illuminated the mysteries that enveloped everyday life.

Eighteenth Century America The ideas of the Age of Reason greatly challenged Puritan culture.

Common Beliefs of the Enlightenment Faith in natural goodness—a human is born without sin; the concept of tabula rasa, or blank slate. This contrasts with the Puritan belief in original sin.

Perfectibility of human beings—it is possible to improve situations of birth, economy, society, and religion.

Sovereignty of reason—human beings are able to puzzle out and understand the universe.

Universal benevolence—the attitude of helping everybody Universal benevolence—the attitude of helping everybody. Mutual sympathy (or “sentiment”) guides moral behavior rather than religious grace alone.

Outdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior—religious, social, economic, and political institutions which have not modernized force individuals into unacceptable actions.

Deism—a “rational” religion. “My mind is my church” (Thomas Paine)

America’s Literary Autonomy: The Literature of the New Republic Late 1700’s, remarkable societal and political changes took place among the first colonies of the United States. The New Republic Era (1776-1836) aimed to unify a nation while also emphasizing freedom and individualism. Persuasion was used in campaigns, political debates, discourse pertaining to slavery, and even the promotion of the Constitution (The Federalist). During this time period, the nation’s literary creativity was mostly focused upon political stability versus experimental and artistic pursuits.