Enlightenment

Enlightenment People began to change their thinking. Thought they lived in an “enlightened” age. Human behavior can be studied logically & rationally and through reason. Astronomy and anatomy included. Started studying the social sciences Move closer to understanding how things work. 1st time in history when people think things will continue to get better. Condition of humans could steadily improve.

Math and Science New importance is developed, stemming from the Renaissance. Wanted to explain everything scientifically or mathematically. Even if it had nothing to do with mathematics or science. Applied theories of Newton and Descartes

Voltaire Francois Marie Arouret (1694-1778) Known as Voltaire “The Elements of the Philosophy of Newton” 1738 in English Stimulated interest in Science Stimulates funds for research

Enlightenment Some places didn’t change as fast. Poor goals and priorities Alchemy Process to turn lead into gold Chemistry Joseph Priestly (English)- identifies oxygen Antoine Laurent Lavoisier Identified elements for fire and water Encyclopedia developed (1751-1772) Denis Diderot- Frenchman that wanted all the important fields to be known.

Enlightenment and Religion Voltaire “Philosophical Letters on the English” (1734) “Destroy the infamous thing.” (Christianity) Claimed religion was evil Diest Believed creator didn’t interfere. Other attacks on Christianity from philosophers like Pierre Bayle “Natural History of the Earth” (1749-1778) Georges Louis Leclerc & Comte de Buffon Didn’t use Genesis

Enlightenment and Economics Current system was Mercantilism Government would set prices Physiocrats Opposed government intervention in the economy Adam Smith, “The Wealth of Nations” Let economy work itself out. “laissez faire”

Enlightenment and Government Thomas Hobbes, “Leviathan” Social Contract with an absolute ruler. John Locke- Englishman “Essay on Civil Government” (1690) Idea of a contract between the ruler and the ruled. Argued we start off as “blank slates” which does not describe inclination for war. Also explains how all men are created “equal”. Proposed Natural Rights Proposed owning land and that people should have to put something into the land rather than just buy the rights. “life, liberty, and the pursuit of property.”

Salons Informal social gatherings. Extremely important because it brought people to share ideas and discuss subjects. Helped fuel the Enlightenment Started by noblewomen inviting friends for poetry readings. Middle-class women then began holding salons.

Enlightenment in America The Enlightenment was really influential in America.