The Evolution of Enlightenment Thought The Scientific Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the Enlightenment

One way to think about things: Prior to the Enlightenment, humans were under the (or subject to) gaze of God. Following the Enlightenment, we are subject to the gaze of critical theory (or our own frameworks about how our world works). I will post an article about this in the last module.

Learning Objectives What are the central principles of the Scientific Revolution? What makes it revolutionary? (1) Outline the central message of each of the pieces. Identify passages that demonstrate the central idea of each work. (2) Identify the audience and evaluate the evidence of each work (3). Explain the general significance of Bacon, Descartes’ Hobbes, and Locke’s work. (1) For what purposes is this material adapted in the modern era? In contemporary time? (4-5) In what way(s) are the works relevant now? (5)

The Road to the Industrial Revolution Scholasticism= Aristotle + Catholic Church The Scientific Revolution = empiricism + rationalism=Industrial Revolution Less Why ?s and more How ?s Why is this so important? It changes the way people investigated and experienced the world It disrupts the social and economic order The Enlightenment=reaction to these changes

Shifting Gears Scholasticism method of studying the world based in tradition, Aristotelian principles, and developed by church authorities. Tycho Brahe emphasized accuracy, measurement, and consistent observation. developed instruments to measure orbits. Johannes Kepler developed laws of planetary motion. Galileo Galilei says were are asking the wrong questions when exploring the world. Isaac Newton also says we should consider observation as a central means of investigating the world.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Empiricism Our Reading Francis Bacon, excerpt “Novum Organon” Everything is better with Bacon. He certainly thinks so. . . Think of the senses when you think of bacon. He says we really need a method. Then he creates one.

Transcript Creation of knowledge originates in science New way of thinking comes about through machine like methods Change the way you think (about the construction of knowledge) if you want to know anything (or add to human knowledge) Transcript of white board image

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

Our Reading Rene Descartes, “A Discourse on Method” Rationalism Rene Descartes (day-cart/deh-cart) Cartesian thought (Cart-eez-ee-ahn) Reason Our Reading Rene Descartes, “A Discourse on Method” cogito ergo sum “Cogito argument” This is kind of a revision of or addition to Bacon’s work. We can build knowledge without using our senses. Are there things we can know without observable proof?

of white board image regarding the Descartes’ work. Discussion of mind/body division Knowledge is unlimited Humans are responsible for limiting power. Cogito ergo sum- “I think therefore I am” This is the argument that knowledge can be constructed through reason. This is not measureable through empirical methods. Not seeing or observing Descartes’ eyes in the previous image, does not mean that he did not have eyes. This argument further complicates what we can know and what we believe. Transcript of white board image regarding the Descartes’ work.

Thomas Hobbes 1588-1669 He is forming a conservative political philosophy. If men were free to do as they please, everyone would kill one another over resources and self-interest. Avoid this scenario. Support an absolute monarch.

John Locke 1632-1704 Takes Descartes ideas about blank slate. Make you way. Define yourself. Everyone is born good. He rejects Hobbes ideas about nasty folks and absolutism. Limited government interference. Man has natural rights. And they enter into a social contract with their “community” an government to protect themselves and their interests (property etc).

On the road to the Industrial Revolution Scholasticism The Scientific Revolution=empiricism + rationalism=Industrial Revolution Less Why ?s questions and more How ?s Why is this so important? It changes the way people investigated and experienced the world It disrupts the social and economic order The Enlightenment=reaction to these changes

The Industrial Revolution Question to keep in mind= Why is this so important? Inventions and innovations 17th-18th centuries Spinning Jenny Steam engine The coke method of iron production The rolling mill Seed drill Dykes, draining and fertilization

The Industrial Revolution Why is the Enlightenment and the IR so important? Displaces people Creates demand Creates new wealth and new power Disrupts social structure

The Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution Why is the Industrial Revolution so important? The wealth of nations is changing Power center of the globe is centered on Britain and Europe Life is never the same Imperialism begins Patterns of invention, innovation and ingenuity developed during Scientific Revolution still exists today. The Modern Era begins

Learning objectives What are the central principles of the Scientific Revolution? What makes it revolutionary? (1) Outline the central message of each of the pieces. Identify passages that demonstrate the central idea of each work. (2) Identify the audience and evaluate the evidence of each work (3). Explain the general significance of Bacon, Descartes’ Hobbes, and Locke’s work. (1) For what purposes is this material adapted in the modern era? In contemporary time? (4-5) In what way(s) are the works relevant now? (5)