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Overview of Enlightenment
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WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
AND GOD SAID, “LET THERE BE LIGHT”?
WHAT COMES BEFORE THE LIGHT?
Enlightenment
The Dark Ages
Medieval Period (from fall of Rome c.500BC to Renaissance c.1380s AD) Catholic Church dominated people’s hearts and minds—and
was heavily involved in politics Education was limited as civilization fought to come back from
the chaos following the decline of the Roman Empire Lots of ritual in medieval Catholicism, emphasis on saints,
miracles, mystery
Monty Python's Take
Reformations
People arguing over the reality of flesh and blood in bread and wine
Arguing religious wars Devastated much of Europe, particularly Holy Roman Empire
Reformations
Intolerance of other viewpoints, even among Protestants Despised Anabaptists Louis XIV persecuted Huguenots (Fr. Calvinists) as well as
Jansenists (Catholics who accepted some of Luther’s points)
Cromwell’s Puritan Republic Persecuted Catholics and denied them participation in govt.
Scientific Revolution
New explanatory modes—observe nature to explain how things work rather than looking to God or the Bible
These scientists still largely religious people who were exploring God’s world
Much of this happening during the Reformations and Wars of Religion
Enlightenment
What are its values?What is it reacting against?Who are the major players?Who is being impacted by this “light”?
Enlightenment Values
Application of scientific method to the understanding of all life
Buzz words—reason, natural law, hope progressUnofficial motto—Dare to know! (Immanuel Kant)
Major Players-Montesquieu
Separation of power his big contribution
Admired the English systemUsed it to criticize French
Major Players-Voltaire
Big contribution-religious toleration Felt religion was necessary for most people
Major Players-Diderot
Big contribution-Encyclopedia Idea that they could gather all their knowledge in one work,
even if it were 28 volumes Optimism
Major Players-Hume
Careful examination of common life experiencesknowledge of human nature
Major Players-Adam Smith
Disliked mercantilism; favored free markets Anti-tariff State should stay out of the economy Labor is the true wealth of a nation
Associated w/physiocratic ideas of supply and demand and laissez-faire economics (let it alone)
Major Players-Rousseau
Two-fold contribution Social contract—idea that we give up our individual freedom to
be governed and maintain civility Government a necessary evil Parachute metaphor
Education idea—leave children alone to explore; don’t stick them in desks in classrooms
Not so enlightened re:gender
Major Players-Mary Astell
Women need to be better educated Used arguments of Enlightened men against them
Major Players-Mary Wollstonecraft
Like Astell, pointed out hypocrisy of Enlightened men’s arguments vs. monarchy and for freedom when they were subjugating their wives
Major Players-Salons
Gathering place for Enlightened thinkers Run by women (in the home, food, hospitality, so no challenge
to tradition in that way) Madame Geoffrin mentioned in text
Limits of Enlightenment
Kant—Reason can only take you so far Guy who coined the unofficial motto also pointed out the
limitations
Famous quotes: To be is to do. Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal
law. You can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.
Limits of Enlightenment-Wesley
Founder of Methodism Trying to revive Anglican church Mystical experience of God Opposed to rationalistic approach of orthodox Lutherans
Limits of Enlightenment-Rococo
Over-the-top style that blended well with Baroque Emphasized grace and gentle action Fondness for curves
In Line with Enlightenment Values-NeoClassicism
Going back, again, to simplicity and dignity of ancient Greece and Rome (interesting that they’re arguing for greater participation in
government along the lines of democracy and representative republics—hmmmmm……)
Music and Order, Reason
Bach, Handel--BaroqueMozart part of the Classical music trend