Age of Reason

1. Age of Reason 1750-1800

2. Background • Began in Europe with philosophers and scientists in the 17th-18th centuries • Scientists called themselves “rationalists” • Rising tensions between British government and the colonists • Major historical event: The American Revolution begins in 1775

3. Rationalist Worldview • People arrive at truth by using reason rather than by relying on the authority of the past, on religion, or on non-rational mental processes like intuition • People are basically good and perfectible • Human history is marked by progress toward a more perfect existence (wanted a better society)

4. Religion: Deism • God created the universe but does not interfere with its workings. • The world operates according to God’s rules, and, through the use of reason, we can discover those rules. • Since God wants people to be happy, they can worship God best by helping other people.

5. Literature • Rooted in reality • Purpose is often to persuade • An age of pamphlets and oratory • Intended to serve practical or political ends

6. How has the pendulum shifted? • God takes an active role in the workings of the universe • God chooses to reveal himself only at particular times to particular people • Stressed humanity’s evil ways/tendencies • The best way to worship God is to go to church/read the Bible • Writing is private • God created the world and left it to work on its own • God made it possible for all people at all times to discover natural laws through their God-given power of reason • Stressed the goodness and orderliness of the universe; each individual, through reason, is perfectible • The best way to worship is to do good for others/create a better society • Writing is public Puritans Rationalists

7. Rationalism Handout

8. Historical Background • The writers and thinkers of the Enlightenment valued science, logic, reason over faith. They had little interest in the authority of the past believing instead in the power of reason. • Above all, they believed that people are good by nature and capable of building a better society.

9. Historical background • British government wanted to raise revenues in colonies to pay its war debt. • It shut down part of Boston, forbade meetings other than annual town meetings and insisted that British troops could be housed in colonists’ homes.

10. Literature • Focused on  Relations with Great Britain and nature of government • Three publications: • Declaration of Independence • Constitution • Federalist papers • A few poets and essayists had made a permanent mark on the literature of the young republic. There were, however, no American novels or plays of importance and the modern short story had yet to be invented.

11. literature • British law held that even true statements against the government could be legally silenced. Hamilton argued that while Zenger’s material was offensive to the governor, it was still true, so not libelous. • American Revolution could not have happened w/o the newspapers. • Declaration of Independence was printed on front page in 1776. • American newspapers represented a press committed to telling the truth, not pleasing the government