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Natural Laws Rule the Universe thus… Natural Laws Rule Humanity

The 18 th Century Enlightenment. Natural Laws Rule the Universe thus… Natural Laws Rule Humanity. The Astronomer -- Vermeer. Power Point adapted from http://www.loyno.edu/~seduffy/enlightenment.htm. Medieval Sciences—Older Views. Aristotelian physics: four elements

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Natural Laws Rule the Universe thus… Natural Laws Rule Humanity

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  1. The 18th CenturyEnlightenment Natural Laws Rule the Universe thus… Natural Laws Rule Humanity The Astronomer -- Vermeer Power Point adapted from http://www.loyno.edu/~seduffy/enlightenment.htm

  2. Medieval Sciences—Older Views • Aristotelian physics: four elements • Ptolemaic view of universe • Medicine: four humours of the body • Genetics: inherited learning • Philosophy: deductive thinking

  3. Ptolemaic System • Older system: Ptolemy’s (c. 90-168) Almagest (150 AD) • Earth center of universe • Crystalline Spheres • Gods, angels in outer spheres

  4. Astronomy • Nicolas Copernicus, (1473-1543), On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, 1543: heliocentric arrangement. • Not accepted until work of • Tycho Brahe (1546-1601): (observation tables)Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) (elliptical orbits), and • Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) (telescope, 1609)

  5. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) • Astronomia Nova “The New Astronomy,” 1609Looking at recorded sightings of MarsAll planets moving in elliptical orbits

  6. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) • 1609 telescope • 1632 Dialogues on the Two Chief Systems of the World (forced by Church to recant) • Universe subject to mathematical laws • Nature inherently logical

  7. Isaac Newton (1642-1727) • Overhauled principles of physicsPrincipia Mathematica, 1687Three Laws of Motion, Principles of inertia, gravity

  8. Edmond Halley “Halley’s Comet” • Admirer of Newton, got Principia printed • Employed Newton’s rules for calculating the position of the moon and planets • English Astronomer Royal in 1719

  9. John Locke (1632-1704) • Father of modern psychology, sociology • Essay Concerning Human Understanding • All knowledge is derived by experience • Two Treatises on Government (1689) — Natural rights • Letter Concerning Toleration (1689)

  10. The Enlightenment 18th Century

  11. Philosophy of the Enlightenment • philosophes,” • Stress on reason, optimism, civic reform • Religious tolerance and political equality • Faith in science and education • Believed in improvement and experimentation • Secular and cosmopolitan

  12. 18th Century Changes • Stable food supply • Industrial Revolution (ca. 1750s-1850s) • Commercial revolution • Social mobility • New strains on government

  13. Science v. Religion • End to witch trials, ca. 1700 • Criticism of the French Monarchy and the French Church • Deism • Toleration, hatred of superstition

  14. Voltaire (1694-1778) • Grandfather of the Enlightenment • Defender of religious toleration • Critic of French church and state • Favored enlightened monarchies

  15. David Hume (1711-1776) • Scottish Philosopher • An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748An Enquiry Concerning the principles of morals 1751“Laws of nature,” no appeal to religion

  16. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) • Spirit of the Laws, 1748 • Balance of Powers theory • Admired British system, critic of French • Inspired American Constitution

  17. Adam Smith • Wealth of Nations, 1776 • Challenge to Mercantilism • Laissez-faire economist

  18. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) • Social Contract, 1762 • The “Noble Savage” • Civilization corrupting influence • Theory of the “General Will” • Inspiration of French Revolution

  19. “Enlightened Despots” • Joseph II of Austria (1780-1790) • Frederick II of Prussia (1740-1786) • Catherine II of Russia (1762-1796) • Reduced power of clergy, aristocrats • Centralization, legal reform, education

  20. Consequences of the Enlightenment • Urban Reforms • Educational reforms • Abolition Movement • Challenges to the Church • Spur to Revolution: • American, French, Haitian

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