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The Enlightenment Characteristics of the Enlightenment: Rationalism: Reason is the arbiter of all things (centerpiece or main concept) Cosmology: A new concept on man (who is he, why is he here, etc.) What is his place on Earth? In the Universe? Secularism: Application of the methods of science to both religion and philosophy. Begin to question things
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The Enlightenment Politically: Reformation Intellectual: Newtonian Physics Reasoning (birth of science) Cultural: Individualism Social: Education Age of Aristocracy Economic: Merchants Dawn of Capitalism
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The Enlightenment Britain: Constitutional Monarchy France: Royal Absolutism Russia: Enlightened Despotism Educated, worldly Dictator (Dictator Light) Ottoman Empire: Traditional Empire Kings, Queens, that sort of thing.
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The Enlightenment Science: Scientific laws were now be explored. Explained in mathematical form. Gave alternatives to everything in life: Religion Politics Religion Physical – Theology: An attempt to describe God and all he is through science. Creates a rational religion, free of mystery, miracles, and superstition.
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The Enlightenment Religion: Deism: Belief in God, but for the first time, doing so while at the same time renouncing organized religion. They recognized a God, but one that was distant, and uninvolved with man. Pantheism: Belief that God and nature are one (birth of tree huggers)! Born from Protestants and Catholics who began to belief in God’s works more through science than scripture.
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The Enlightenment Science: Mathematical analysis Inductive (hypothesis, or educated guessing) reasoning Experimentation Utilitarianism: Greatest good, for the greatest number of people (common good). Tolerance: No opinion or thought, is worth burning someone over.
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The Enlightenment Optimism & Self Confidence Belief that man is inherently good. Social progress Freedoms: Of thought and expression Bring liberty to ALL men (revolt against Absolutism) This would lead to movements such as the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. Mass public Education
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The Enlightenment Legal Reforms No torture Justice Due process of Law (meaning those in charge had a standard of rules to abide by as they prosecuted you). Constitutionalism: A set of civil rights guaranteed every man in your country.
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Reason and Logic Traditions and Superstitions Rational Tolerance Deism Skepticism Clinging to the past Organized religion Irrationalism Emotionalism The Enlightenment
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Writers: John Locke Individual MUST become a rational creature. Virtue (goodness, the quality of being morally righteous) must be both learned and practiced. People have free will: Should be ‘PREPARED’ for freedom. Obeying one anther should be out of conviction not fear With no conviction, then fear and intimidation should be used to re- enforce what is missing. Certain right we are ALL endowed by God: Life, liberty, property (should sound familiar, it’s what Thomas Jefferson would quote later).
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The Enlightenment Writers: Immanuel Kant Introduced the concept of transcendentalism: Some things are known or learned by methodology (practice) rather than empirically (observation). Methodological Concept: Belief in God This meant there is a way to believe in something non- rationally. Empirical concept: Time You can see time pass as the day moves on
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The Enlightenment New things / inventions / Attitudes / Habits / etc. from the Enlightenment: The Encyclopedia Called a “Complete cycle of knowledge” Helped continue the reformation or change in the way society thought. Alphabetical / Cross referenced / Illustrated 1 st published in 1751 Education (Again... ) Literacy rates explode 80% of all men can read, 60% of women Books are expensive (a day’s pay to purchase one) Many readers for each book (20 people for every 1 book in print) Novels, plays, etc. Journals (our first blogs) Philosophy, written history, theology Newspapers, etc.
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