The Enlightenment
Montesquieu French nobility, classical education & studied law Persian Letters - attack on French institutions mainly Catholic Church and Monarchy “History is full of religious wars; but, we must take care to observe, it was not the multiplicity of religions that produced these wars, it was the intolerating spirit which animated that one which thought she had the power of governing.” ― Montesquieu, The Persian Letters Spirit of Laws - most famous work Separation of Powers- based on England’s system
middle class family in Paris, classical education, studied law forced to flee France - lived in England 2 yrs Philosophic Letters on the English - praised freedom of press, political freedom and religious toleration Treatise on Toleration - argued for religious toleration championed deism - God no direct involvement in world Voltaire
Voltaire Quotes “the holy roman empire was neither holy nor Roman nor an empire” “I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it” “Crush the infamous thing” Also wrote Candide – satire attacking war, religious intolerance, etc.
Diderot son of craftsman France, became freelance writer early in career attacked the intolerance of Christianity wikipedia...more like Dideropedia greatest work was editing 1st Encyclopedia made available the ideas of Sci Rev and Enlightenment
David Hume Scottish philosopher Treatise on Human Nature- bundle theory built on Locke - human mind is a bundle of impressions ideas reflect experiences - reason can’t answer questions that are not verified by senses “Science of man” or social sciences - how humans interact
Adam Smith Physiocrat (economist) credited for modern economics Wealth of Nations - laissez-faire economics - rejected mercantilist approach – “Invisible Hand” free trade - do away w/ tariffs that protect domestic ind. nations wealth based on labor also known as 19th c economic liberalism
Rousseau Born in Geneva, spent youth wandering France & Italy The Social Contract - “General Will” liberty achieved by doing what is best for all people participatory democracy Emile - on education “Everything is good as it leaves the hands of the Author; everything degenerates in the hands of man” – education allows man to survive a corrupt society
“Woman’s Question” Read the handout. How do Rousseau and Wollstonecraft differ on the role of women?
“Woman’s Question” Where did women fit in the Enlightenment and the discussion of rights? - mixed results Many male thinkers reinforce female inferiority based on “natural” biological differences Rousseau Others promoted women to be no different than man Diderot, Voltaire - “women capable of all that man are” As hostesses of salons - women play important role
Wollstonecraft English writer founder of modern European feminism Vindication of the Rights of Woman contradiction of arbitrary power of men over women same as arbitrary power of monarchs over subjects If reason is innate in all human beings why are women not entitled to same “natural rights”?
The Issue of Race How was the Enlightenment used to justify racist attitudes?
Culture & Society Rococo - lavish, power, majesty w/ emphasis on pastel colors associated with aristocracies of Old Regime Originated in 18th c. France Imperial Hall - Balthasar Neumann Return from Cythera - Antoine Watteau
Oath of the Haratii - Jacques-Louis David Culture & Society Neoclassical - return to the ancient world - built on Renaissance developments of Greek and Rome Republican values which criticized Old Regime Scenes of heroism and self-sacrifice Oath of the Haratii - Jacques-Louis David
Music composed of melody, grace and emotion Development of Music New musical period - classical era (1750-1830) new instrument - piano Mozart - child prodigy -first opera at 12 Music composed of melody, grace and emotion
Crime & Punishment Beccaria - Italian philosophe On Crimes and Punishments Punishments should be effective and just Attacked torture and capital punishment
High vs Pop Culture High Culture - learned folks w/ fancy books and such Universities - still taught concepts based on Greek/Latin Pop Culture - peeons with their oral jargon chapbooks - helped literacy rates increase 28%-85% from 1710-1789, women remained 15% Across the board increase in drinking at both levels Carnivals and Taverns
Religion & Enlight. As scientific beliefs and reason gained support, Europe became more secularized Catholic Church removed from international affairs Toleration for religious minorities in some Catholic countries Joseph II of Austria - Toleration Patent Jews remained deprived of rights Pietism - deeper devotion to God - Wesley Methodism