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The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment. A New Faith In Europe. What is the Enlightenment?. 18 th Century Philosophical Movement Influenced by intellectuals impressed with achievements in science. “The Celebration of Human Reason”. Tolerant Laid Back “Cool”. Characteristics of Enlightenment.

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The Enlightenment

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  1. The Enlightenment A New Faith In Europe

  2. What is the Enlightenment? • 18th Century Philosophical Movement • Influenced by intellectuals impressed with achievements in science. • “The Celebration of Human Reason”. • Tolerant • Laid Back • “Cool”

  3. Characteristics of Enlightenment • Emperical Knowledge • Knowledge is something that was required, it was not innate. • Mechanistic Universe • Universe was is governed by unchanging, reasonable laws. • Perfectability of Man • Humans are good. Human Nature is noble. • Corruption was imposed by society. • Goodness of Nature • The world is supposed to be simple, beautiful, and good.

  4. Who Influenced the Enlightenment? • Issac Newton (1643-1727) • Believed that natural laws governed the physical world and human society. • John Locke (1632-1702) • Had a very different view • Believed that every person was born with a blank mind. • Believed that people were molded by past experiences. • Believed that if people had the right influences, they could change society.

  5. The Expansion of the Enlightenment • The Enlightenment movement was expressed by people who were: • Writers • Journalists • Economists • Professors • Social Reformers These people were known as the “Philosophes”

  6. Philosophes • French meaning for “Philosophers” • Many weren’t Philosophers, but propagandists. • These people satisfied the Middle-Class. • All wanted to change the World in one aspect or another. • These people were: • Religiously Tolerant • Allowed Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press • They nurture the arts, sciences, and education.

  7. The More Famous “Philosphes” • Montesquieu • Famous for his work, The Spirit of the Laws, it was a study of governments. • Believed in the separation of powers • Checks and Balance System (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) • Would prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power. • Identified 3 types of governments: • Republics: suitable for small states • Despotism: appropriate for large states • Monarchies: ideal for moderate-sized states (used England as an Example)

  8. The More Famous “Philosophes” (Cont…) • Voltaire • Very good writer • Very respected • Wrote many pamphlets, novels, plays, letters, essays, and histories. • Known for his religious tolerance, however was very anti-church. • Believed religion was an unsavory social phenomenon. • Based many of his works on Deism: • The universe was built like a clock. God created the earth and put it into motion, and allowed it to run without interference.

  9. The More Famous “Philosophes” (Cont…) • Diderot • He created and published Encyclopedias. • This was a way to change the general way of thinking in Europe. • Distributed to Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, and Clergymen • Expanded the movement of the Enlightenment.

  10. The Rights of Women • For centuries, male intellects argued that the nature of women made them inferior to men. • During the enlightenment, females thinkers expressed ideas. • Mary Wollstoncraft • Influential to modern European and American movement for Women’s rights.

  11. Other Ideas of the Enlightenment • The Growth of Reading • The growth due to the spread to the literate elite. • In France, 300 titles published in 1750. 1,600 titles in 1780. • The Salon • Drawing rooms of the upper middle class. • Invited guests would have intellectual conversations. • Salons brought writers and artists together with government officials and aristocrats.

  12. Religion • Many people sought a deeper connection with God. • Many different branches of Christianity were formed during the period. • More Protestant churches were created.

  13. Enlightened Absolutism This was the Enlightenments effects on the political spectrum. Leaders would try to govern their countries by the principles of the enlightenment, while maintaining their royal powers. These rulers were termed The Enlightened Despots.

  14. The Enlightened Despots • Political figures that had the goal of bettering their countries and/or Kingdoms. • Engage in public improvements • Sought to reduce power of church • Suppress local authority while centralizing the authority of the Central Government. • “First Servant of the State” • Lets Examine: Prussia, Austria, and Russia Did these rulers follow the advice of the philosophes?

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