Age of the Enlightenment “Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own intelligence” Words of Immanuel Kant “Human ignorance is not caused by the lack

Age of the EnlightenmentAge of the Enlightenment

““Dare to know! Have the courage to use your Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own intelligence”own intelligence”

Words of Immanuel Kant Words of Immanuel Kant

““Human ignorance is not caused by the Human ignorance is not caused by the lack of intelligence but from the “lack of lack of intelligence but from the “lack of determination and courage to use that determination and courage to use that intelligence without another’s guidance.”intelligence without another’s guidance.”

““Sapere aude!”Sapere aude!”

Age of the EnlightenmentAge of the Enlightenment

The Renaissance may have opened the door to reason but The Renaissance may have opened the door to reason but had neither the courage nor the power to oppose the had neither the courage nor the power to oppose the medieval concept of faith instead of reason.medieval concept of faith instead of reason.

The leaders of the Enlightenment had that courage and The leaders of the Enlightenment had that courage and power - Descartes in mathematics, Mozart in music, power - Descartes in mathematics, Mozart in music, Rembrant in painting, and Locke and Rousseau in politics. Rembrant in painting, and Locke and Rousseau in politics. Revolution was in the airRevolution was in the air

Age of Scientific RevolutionAge of Scientific Revolution

SummarySummary

The Scientific Revolution & the The Scientific Revolution & the Enlightenment challenged and Enlightenment challenged and changed the way people thought changed the way people thought about the world.about the world.

18th Century Politics► BRITAIN – Constitutional – Constitutional MonarchyMonarchy

► FRANCE Royal Absolutism Royal Absolutism (cultural and religious (cultural and religious unity)unity)

► PRUSSIA, HABSBURG EMPIRE, RUSSIA “Enlightened “Enlightened Despotism”Despotism”

► OTTOMAN EMPIRE – – traditional traditional empire empire

Enlightenment ThinkersEnlightenment Thinkers

Philosophers influenced by Scientific Philosophers influenced by Scientific RevolutionRevolution

By using the Scientific Method and reason By using the Scientific Method and reason they hoped to figure out ways to improve they hoped to figure out ways to improve conditions for people.conditions for people.

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I think thereforeI am!

Rene Descartessums up Enlightenment philosophy PEOPLE MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN REASON TO UNDERSTAND LIFE AND THE NATURAL ORDER - AND EVERYTHING MUST BE JUDGED BY ASKING WHAT IS HUMANLY REASONABLE

1596-1650

Religion’s Purpose ChangesReligion’s Purpose Changes

As people use more and more of their As people use more and more of their reason to understand situations then they reason to understand situations then they will need the creator less and lesswill need the creator less and less

God might be useful for one's personal life God might be useful for one's personal life but for science, politics, and gov't, human but for science, politics, and gov't, human reason alone will sufficereason alone will suffice

Voltaire Voltaire

1700s defender 1700s defender of human rights of human rights & reform& reform

his world imposed his world imposed arrest and torture upon arrest and torture upon those citizens who those citizens who expressed opinions expressed opinions that stood in opposition that stood in opposition to the prevailing to the prevailing religious, social, and religious, social, and political viewspolitical views



Wait until you hear his story!

Voltaire 1700s Voltaire 1700s

He was a good Catholic He was a good Catholic who felt who felt God was a conscious intelligence God was a conscious intelligence that designed the world (that was that designed the world (that was enough for censure from the enough for censure from the Roman Catholic Church; it was Roman Catholic Church; it was heresy)heresy)

Church said horrendous Church said horrendous earthquake in 1755 was God's earthquake in 1755 was God's judgement on the French peoplejudgement on the French people



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Jerry Falwell

“9-11 was God’s punishment on us because of all the homosexuals”

Voltaire Voltaire Voltaire's anti Catholicism Voltaire's anti Catholicism

reached pinnacle after Huguenot reached pinnacle after Huguenot Jean Calas was tortured and Jean Calas was tortured and executed in 1762executed in 1762



Calas, falsely convicted of having killed his son to prevent him from converting to Catholicism, was tortured by the Catholic authorities in hopes he would confess he was subjected to the question ordinaire: his arms and legs were stretched until they were pulled from their sockets. When he did not confess (his son committed suicide) he was subjected to the question extraordinaire: fifteen pints of water poured down his throat. Calas continued to claim innocence. 15 more pints added, swelling his body to twice normal sizeExecutioner then broke each of his limbs in two places and finally strangled him to death. His corpse was burned at the stake.

Voltaire Voltaire Voltaire believed passionately in the need to reform Voltaire believed passionately in the need to reform

society and to reform the church but he found he society and to reform the church but he found he could not influence the king of France nor the could not influence the king of France nor the church authorities so ....he turned to the common church authorities so ....he turned to the common people, becoming THE LEADING DEFENDER OF people, becoming THE LEADING DEFENDER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE NEED TO CHANGE HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE NEED TO CHANGE SOCIETYSOCIETY



he flooded Europe with political pamphlets, novels, poems, etc.he criticized the Bible and organized religion which he thought was used to crush any new ideas and used to continue erroneous beliefs in superstition

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Though it might seem easy, today, to criticize such a passionate emphasis on reason, remember that Voltaire's society tortured people who went against the accepted norm. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY THAT PRICE TO CHANGE SOCIETY IN WAYS YOU DEEM NECESSARY?

Voltaire’s “Wisdom” (I)

► Every man is guilty of all the Every man is guilty of all the good he good he didn’t do. didn’t do.► God is a comedian playing to an God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.audience too afraid to laugh.► If God did not exist, it would be If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.necessary to invent him.► It is dangerous to be right It is dangerous to be right when the when the government is wrong. government is wrong.► Love truth and pardon error.Love truth and pardon error.

Voltaire’s “Wisdom” (II)

► Judge of a man by his questions Judge of a man by his questions rather than by his answers.rather than by his answers.► Men are equal; it is not birth, but Men are equal; it is not birth, but virtuevirtue that makes the difference. that makes the difference.► Prejudice is opinion without Prejudice is opinion without judgment.judgment.► The way to become boring is to The way to become boring is to say say everything. everything.► I may not agree with what you I may not agree with what you have to say,but I will defend to the have to say,but I will defend to the death your right to say it.death your right to say it.

HobbesHobbes


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Hobbes 1600sHobbes 1600s So Voltaire dismantled superstitions ofSo Voltaire dismantled superstitions of society there still was no organizing principle to replace old society there still was no organizing principle to replace old

ideasideas Hobbes will introduce Hobbes will introduce THE ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE of THE ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE of

THE SOCIAL CONTRACTTHE SOCIAL CONTRACT ((He had developed these theories 100 years He had developed these theories 100 years earlier than Voltaire but now…)earlier than Voltaire but now…)

SOCIAL CONTRACT SOCIAL CONTRACT says that individual people give up says that individual people give up some of their freedoms/liberties in exchange for the some of their freedoms/liberties in exchange for the protection and benefits of the groupprotection and benefits of the group

Crucial because Crucial because according to this contract good and evil according to this contract good and evil are no longer considered in absolute terms, right and are no longer considered in absolute terms, right and wrong are simply determined by the collective decisionwrong are simply determined by the collective decision



Rousseau 1700sRousseau 1700s French speaking Swiss, friend of French speaking Swiss, friend of

Voltaire'sVoltaire's His argumentHis argument: The : The

Enlightenment's emphasis on Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and science had caused reason and science had caused people to lose more freedom people to lose more freedom than they gainthan they gain

His belief: His belief: people should have people should have absolute freedom - freedom not absolute freedom - freedom not just from culture but from just from culture but from authority of any kind ...this authority of any kind ...this means that for Rousseau - the means that for Rousseau - the individual became the center of individual became the center of the universethe universe



Rousseau 1700sRousseau 1700s

The impact/result: The impact/result: Rousseau rejects the Judeo-Rousseau rejects the Judeo-Christian concept of original Christian concept of original sin and argued humans are sin and argued humans are born innocent and pure - it is born innocent and pure - it is society that corrupts.society that corrupts.



Conclusion individual freedom only secure if there was a "general will" -obedience to the general will was suppose to be instinctive through cultural engineering - this way people would have peer pressure to do the right thing and treat everyone equal

Rousseau’s Philosophy (I)

Virtue exists in the ”state of Virtue exists in the ”state of nature,” but lost in “society.”nature,” but lost in “society.”

Government must preserve Government must preserve “virtue” and ”liberty.”“virtue” and ”liberty.”

Man is born free, yet Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains.everywhere he is in chains.

The concept of the The concept of the ”Noble ”Noble Savage.”Savage.”

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. Civil liberty Civil liberty invest ALL invest ALL

rights and liberties into a rights and liberties into a society.society.

Rousseau’s Philosophy (II)

► QuestionQuestion Does progress in Does progress in the arts and sciences the arts and sciences correspond with progress in correspond with progress in morality? morality?

As civilizations progress, they As civilizations progress, they move away from morality.move away from morality.

Civilization itself leads away Civilization itself leads away from true fundamentals.from true fundamentals.

Technology and art create false Technology and art create false desires.desires.

NO!NO!

Rousseau’s Philosophy (III)

► Concept of the Concept of the “General “General Will.”Will.”

Only those who make their Only those who make their own laws are free.own laws are free.

Virtuous citizens will agree, Virtuous citizens will agree, become one.become one.

V Not merely a consensus or Not merely a consensus or the majority.the majority.

A discussion among the A discussion among the virtuous will yield unity.virtuous will yield unity.

V Dissenters are “forced to be Dissenters are “forced to be free.”free.”

V General WillGeneral Will = = law law ++ freedom!freedom!

But What Does It All Mean?But What Does It All Mean?What is the Big Picture?What is the Big Picture?

Enlightenment philosophy = eventually Enlightenment philosophy = eventually eliminated the need for supernatural eliminated the need for supernatural beings (oh, poor Gilgamesh) and divine beings (oh, poor Gilgamesh) and divine commands (oh, poor Crusaders) while at commands (oh, poor Crusaders) while at the same time implicitly eliminating the the same time implicitly eliminating the clear distinctions between humans and clear distinctions between humans and other living organisms.other living organisms.

A dehumanization of people has begunA dehumanization of people has begun

Fantastic BookFantastic Book

I found this clear understanding in this I found this clear understanding in this great book by John W. Whitehead - great book by John W. Whitehead - Grasping for Wind - Grasping for Wind - check it outcheck it out



The Characteristics of the Enlightenment

1.1. Rationalism Rationalism reason is the reason is the arbiter of all things.arbiter of all things.

2.2. Scientific MethodScientific Method

Mathematical analysisMathematical analysis

ExperimentationExperimentation

Inductive reasoning.Inductive reasoning.

3. 3. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism the greatest good for the the greatest good for the greatest number.greatest number.

4. Tolerance 4. Tolerance No opinion is worth burning No opinion is worth burning your neighbor for.your neighbor for.

John Locke’s Philosophy (II)

► There are certain natural There are certain natural rights that are endowed by rights that are endowed by God to all human beings.God to all human beings.

life, liberty, property!life, liberty, property!

► The doctrine of the Divine The doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings was Right of Kings was nonsense.nonsense.

► He favored a republic as the He favored a republic as the best form of government.best form of government.

The Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

► Persian Persian LettersLetters, , 1721 1721

► On the Spirit On the Spirit of of LawsLaws, 1758, 1758

Montesquieu’s Philosophy► Three types of government:Three types of government:

Monarchy.Monarchy. Republic.Republic. Despotism.Despotism.

Freedom for the individual Freedom for the individual is the goalis the goal

To achieve this, gov’t needs To achieve this, gov’t needs constitution to guarantee constitution to guarantee the safety and security of the safety and security of the individualthe individual

A separation of political A separation of political powers ensured freedom powers ensured freedom and libertyand liberty



“Inspiring!”

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft BritishBritish 1st Feminist Philosopher1st Feminist Philosopher A Vindication for the Rights of A Vindication for the Rights of WomenWomen she argues that women are not naturally she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education. She suggests that both they lack education. She suggests that both men and women should be treated as rational men and women should be treated as rational beings and imagines a social order founded beings and imagines a social order founded on reason.on reason.



1759-1797

Denis DiderotDenis Diderot1713-1784 French

Wrote the Wrote the EncyclopediaEncyclopediashow the dependence of men's ideas show the dependence of men's ideas on their five senses.on their five senses.The work sought to bring together all The work sought to bring together all knowledge of the time and condense knowledge of the time and condense this information for all to use. Using this information for all to use. Using not only the expertise of scholars and not only the expertise of scholars and Academies in their respective fields Academies in their respective fields but that of the common man in their but that of the common man in their proficiencies in their trades.proficiencies in their trades.An encyclopedia would give the layman An encyclopedia would give the layman an ability to reason and use knowledge to an ability to reason and use knowledge to better themselves; allowing for upward better themselves; allowing for upward mobility and increased intellectual mobility and increased intellectual abundance amongst the lower class. A abundance amongst the lower class. A growth of knowledge amongst this segment growth of knowledge amongst this segment of society would provide power to this of society would provide power to this group and a yearning to question the group and a yearning to question the governmentgovernment





Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

► Common SenseCommon Sense, , 17761776

► The Rights of ManThe Rights of Man, , 17911791

► It is right for man It is right for man to revolt against an to revolt against an improper gov’timproper gov’t

► Man’s rights are Man’s rights are eternal and eternal and unchanging!unchanging!


During most of the Enlightenment, the gov’ts of Europe believed that a nation holding the most resources was the richest state. Each gov’t tried to control as many raw materials, cheap skilled workers, and factories – this is called mercantilism. They believed there was a set amount of money in the world that could be divided among the nations.


In 1776 Adam Smith wrote Wealth of Nations where he introduced a new idea where the gov’t did not control the economy. He believed in an economic system where the “invisible hand of self interest” – or laissez faire controlled the mov’t of resources.

Wealth is not a fixed amount of goods to be kept locked up but an open system of using existing resources to their fullest and to make the most products to sell to the most people with as little gov’t control as possible.


Adam Smith Adam Smith created idea of created idea of laissez-faire laissez-faire economics.economics.When it comes to the economy then gov’t When it comes to the economy then gov’t

should do nothing. should do nothing. Natural forces of economy - Natural forces of economy - supply and supply and

demanddemand - should work freely. - should work freely.Ex: gov’t should protect people from invasion by Ex: gov’t should protect people from invasion by

enemy but not from poverty. enemy but not from poverty.

The American “Philosophes”

John AdamsJohn Adams(1745-(1745-1826)1826)

Ben FranklinBen Franklin(1706-1790)(1706-1790)

ThomasThomasJeffersonJefferson(1743-(1743-1826)1826)

……...…life, liberty, and the pursuit of ...…life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…………...happiness…………...

James MadisonJames Madison 1751-18381751-1838

Jefferson’s friend and neighborJefferson’s friend and neighbor Wrote Constitution of Virginia 1776, Leader of Wrote Constitution of Virginia 1776, Leader of

Virginian Assembly to the Continental Virginian Assembly to the Continental Congress., Member of Constitutional Congress., Member of Constitutional Convention- Convention- Father of the ConstitutionFather of the Constitution, , Secretary of State, Secretary of State, 44thth President. President.

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson 1743-18251743-1825

Farmer (unsuccessful), Lawyer, Congressman, Governor, Farmer (unsuccessful), Lawyer, Congressman, Governor, Ambassador, Secretary of State, V.P. and Ambassador, Secretary of State, V.P. and 33rdrd President President,,

Wrote the most famous 36 words in history.. Wrote the most famous 36 words in history.. We hold these truths to be We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Governmentto institute new Government

Wished to be remembered for:Wished to be remembered for:1.1. Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence2.2. Religious FreedomReligious Freedom3.3. University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia

Age of Scientific RevolutionAge of Scientific Revolution

SummarySummary

The Scientific Revolution & the The Scientific Revolution & the Enlightenment challenged and Enlightenment challenged and changed the way people thought changed the way people thought about the world.about the world.

Documents

Age of the Enlightenment “Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own intelligence” Words of Immanuel Kant “Human ignorance is not caused by the lack