The Age of Enlightenment
What was the Enlightenment? Center: Paris, France Intellectual movement Explosion of ideas/writing about: Science Government Religion Society
The Enlightenment: Precursors Renaissance Encourages secularism, criticism, belief in reason Protestant Reformation Questions authority of church Age of Exploration Exchange of ideas with other peoples
The Enlightenment: Concepts Natural Laws Human behavior governed by laws of nature God does not direct all human behavior Reason Scientific method Truth is found through logical thought Progress Encouraged new ideas, inventions Valued innovation and creativity
The Enlightenment: Concepts Criticism Every person, institution, and idea subject to criticism Skeptical of religion, superstition SCIENCE
The Philosophes Thinkers of the Enlightenment People from all backgrounds: law, nobility, science, etc. Philosophe is simply the French word for philosopher approach a subject in a critical and inquiring spirit
The Big (French) Three Voltaire Freedom of thought Montesquieu Checks and balances in government Rousseau Distrusted reason, society
The Encyclopedie Written 1751-1780 Edited by Denis Diderot Banned by the Roman Catholic Church Covered many topics: Science Literature History Politics
The Salon Salon: French word for lounge, living room Meeting place of philosophes Discuss politics, religion, philosophy Homes of influential women hostesses Madame Geoffrin
Government Thinkers differ in ideas about government Voltaire, Montesquieu favor Britain Most believe in rights of man Right to representation Freedoms of speech, religion Many favor enlightened despotism
Enlightened Despotism Monarch is in power, but…. He/she follows principles of Enlightenment: Freedom of speech, press, religion Examples: Frederick the Great – Prussia Catherine the Great – Russia
Impact of the Enlightenment American Revolution, Constitution French Revolution Latin American Independence Movement United Nations – Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)