Romanticism, Puritanism, and Rationalism By Matt Graf, Logan Kallop, Tony Pittavino, and Josh Selling

What is Puritanism? Puritanism is a series of beliefs held mainly by the New England settlers. Was based on the teachings of John Calvin. Taught people that God was the source of absolute truth. Believed in Predestination, God decided everything Believed that God was constantly intervening in the world Man is inherently evil (Stephenson).

And Rationalism? Rationalism was a mid-18th century response to the extreme dogma of Puritanism Believed that truth came through reason, rather than God Believed in a much greater amount of freedom, and rejected Church dogma. Rationalists believe that man is inherently good Rationalists believe in the clock maker, theory, in that God, like a fine clock maker, lets the world run its own course, and does not interfere (Leah). (“Romantic”).

Romanticism Romanticism is a literary movement that started as a response to rationalism Romantics are much more idealistic than their Puritan and Rationalist counterparts. To Romantics, truth comes from intuition, and civilization is the ultimate corrupter There is a belief in Romanticism of the “Noble Savage,” a person who is untouched and uncorrupted by civilization, and in tune with nature (Leah). (“Romantic”). (Kreis).

Puritan v. Romanticism (Stephenson). (Kreis). Puritans Romantics GOD God is directly influencing and controlling the world There is less emphasis on God, rather, there is only the natural order Things happen because God’s intervention Destiny Man’s Nature Man is inherently evil Man is good, it is civilization that corrupts. Source of truth God Intuition and self - reflection Fate We are predetermined what we are going to do in life, nothing can change that We can influence our on lives, but we are destined for certain things Truth is available to The elect Those who commune with Nature (Stephenson). (Kreis).

Rationalism vs. Romanticism Views on God Both are less insistent on deities, instead focusing on the general idea of God, or not mentioning God whatsoever Things happen because The laws of Nature For symbolism Man’s Nature Man is inherently good Man is good, civilization corrupts Source of truth Reason and logic Intuition Truth is available to Everybody Those in touch with nature (“Romantic”). (Kreis).

Final Notes Romanticism differs from the movements preceding it in that it was a literary movement that spawned a philosophy, rather than the other way around. Because of this, this movement was much more prolific than movements preceding it Romanticism was a response to the ideas of high civilization in Rationalism, and claimed that the view of cities as the fountain of knowledge is false

Questions 1. What is the Romantics source of truth? 2. Things happen to Romantics because of what? 3.Puritanism is based on the teachings of who? 4. Who is the hero or ultimate goal in Romanticism?

Answers 1. Intuition 2. Destiny 3. John Calvin 4. Noble Savage

Works Cited Kreis, Steven. “Lecture 16: The Romantic Era.” The History Guide. N.p., 4 Aug. 2009. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. <http://www.historyguide.org/‌intellect/‌lecture16a.html>. Leah, Heather. “Romanticism vs. Rationalism During the Renaissance.” Associatedcontent. N.p., 29 Aug. 2006. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/‌article/‌54331/‌romanticism_vs_rationalism_during_the.html>. “Romantic Vs. Rationalist.” FreeEssays.cc. N.p., 2003. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. <http://www.freeessays.cc/‌db/‌18/‌esv225.shtml>. Stephenson, Susan. “Puritan Beliefs.” Seneca Valley School District. Winter 2010. Address.