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American Enlightenment. 1750-1800. The Declaration of Independence John Trumbull, 1818. Big Ideas of the American Enlightenment. Rationalism Science God as Clockmaker Deism Community Service Self-Improvement. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Truth comes from reason
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American Enlightenment 1750-1800 The Declaration of Independence John Trumbull, 1818
Big Ideas of the American Enlightenment Rationalism Science God as Clockmaker Deism Community Service Self-Improvement Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Truth comes from reason • not from authority of the past • not from religion • not from emotion or intuition • God created the universe • but does not interfere • God’s rules of the universe can be discovered, • but only through reason image source Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) God as Clockmakerwho created the perfect mechanism of the universe and left it to run. Logic and reason are God’s gift to help us understand the universe. Rationalism source
A Priori Knowledge Some ideas are true independent of experience • Innate Ideas Some ideas are present from birth • Logical Necessity Some things cannot be conceived of as otherwise image source Rationalism source
Universe is orderly and good • Humanity is good • Individual is perfectible through reason • God’s objective is happiness of creation (all creatures) • Sought principles that united all religions • God is available to all people all of the time • Best form of worship is to help others source Deism Elements of Literature 13-18
Toward Perfection • Self-evident truths • Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness • All men are created equal What elements of Rationalism and Deism is the Declaration of Independence based upon? Self-Improvement: for a nation and for individuals
Benjamin Franklin One today is worth two tomorrows. He that composes himself is wiser than he who composes books. Fish and visitors smell in three days. Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked and never well mended. A small leak will sink a great ship. source Aphorisms from Poor Richard’s Almanack
Temperance • Silence • Order • Resolution • Frugality • Industry • Sincerity • Justice • Moderation • Cleanliness • Tranquility • Chastity • Humility Achieving Moral Perfectionfrom The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin See packet, page 29
Enlightenment Art The Treaty of Penn with the Indians (1771-72) Benjamin West
In groups of 3 or 4, create a skit that represents a moral that you believe students at Parkway North exhibit or lack on a daily basis. • Cannot be temperance or chastity!