The Birth of Modern Times What makes our modern World?

Renaissance Thought Florence—model city of the Renaissance Several of the central ideas of the Renaissance contributed to a frame of mind conducive to industrialization Secularism—less emphasis on religion and more on material things Humanism—a shift of the medieval focus away from God and upon man Individualism—a precursor of the laissez- faire mentality Historical self- consciousness—a concerted attempt to recapture and go beyond the glories of Ancient Rome

Protestant Reformation Some argue that the spirit of religious individualism prepared the way for the growth of economic individualism. Elements of Protestant thought—especially Calvinist-- certainly contributed to such a mentality or Geist, an ethos for money-making Hard Work—industry or industriousness; dedication to work Thrift—a value was placed on saving money Emphasis on production vs. consumption Simplicity in life- style; some argue that this mentality contributed to the capital accumulation which would later fuel industrialization John Calvin

Making the most of one's time—discipline and ordering one' life to be productive; punctuality Financial success as outward manifestation of divine favor—it replaced penance and liturgy as confirmation of God's favor Concept of the calling—Luther's approach that in one's earthly occupation, you could fulfill a spiritual duty; this gave religious significance to earthly pursuits Sobriety Prudence—wise management Self-control Orderliness—in England, Wesley's Methodism may have prepared the mentality needed for early industrial labor discipline, i.e., a submissiveness to authority

Some argue that the Protestant Work Ethic evolved into the Rational Work Ethic

The English Reformation Henry VIII ( ) Henry VIII's break with Rome and the dissolution of English monasteries freed up land to the gentry and facilitated Enclosure and the Agricultural Revolution

Advance of Science Francis Bacon, René Descartes, Bacon proposed the use of inductive over deductive reasoning, i.e., starting from direct observation of phenomenon and then going and going forward to develop principles which explain these observations and produce "new truth" (vs. starting from a premise taken on authority and then deducing the logical consequence) Descartes thought it necessary to doubt everything that could be reasonably doubted & then use deductive reasoning from self- evident principles to ascertain scientific laws.

Thus the formulation of the scientific method laid the intellectual foundations upon which the Industrial Revolution was built. Moreover, it also weakened religion's hold in Europe, further facilitating religious toleration, i.e., the strength of Protestantism.

The Newtonian Revolution Sir Isaac Newton, Newtonian theory fueled a rising interest in science and things scientific and formed the basis for practical application which found expression in the Industrial Revolution

The Enlightenment The Philosophes Voltaire, Components of Enlightenment Thought Reason—vs. skepticism, prejudice, revelation, belief in miracles Nature—what is natural became the standard for measurement Happiness—vs. salvation as a desired end Progress—perfectibility seen as only a matter of time Liberty—freedom from past restraints

French vs. English Mentalities The French were better educated than the English, particularly in terms of knowledge about the natural sciences The emphasis was theoretical--the French talked about things, debated them The English, less well educated, acted-- they did something about things— doers vs. thinkers They invented things based on mechanical aptitude and common sense; thus it was in England where all the basic inventions which brought modern industry were created English willingness to innovate was critical Moreover...

Adam Smith, author of... This volume, published in 1776, became the gospel of laissez-faire designed for a capitalist economy. It stressed government non- intervention, allowing the natural forces of economy, e.g., supply and demand, to determine prices Parliamentary government in England gave a voice not heard on the Continent to the rising commercial middle/industrial classes. It also gave freedom to the inventor and innovator.

And Thus was laid the foundation for the modern world