Enlightenment Rousseau and Wollstonecraft Learning objectives n Outline
Enlightenment Rousseau and Wollstonecraft
Learning objectives n Outline the major principles of the Enlightenment philosophy (1). n Describe and evaluate the central message and evidence presented in both Rousseau and Wollstonecraft’s work (2). n In what way(s) to the pieces exemplify Enlightenment philosophy? Support your claims with specific evidence from the cultural artifacts (3). n In what way(s) are the philosophers’ work relevant now? In what ways do we see the influence of Wollstonecraft’s or Rousseau’s ideas in our contemporary society? In which contemporary cultural artifact can you recognize the influence of the philosophers ideas? (5) Be specific. Explain the connections you identify.
Enlightenment Thought-Politics n Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712 -1778) n Discourses on Inequality n On the Social Contract (1755) n Emile (1762) (1762 -1763)
Re: Enlightenment Critics: Immanuel Kant (1724 -1804), Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 -1803), and Denis Diderot (1713 -1784) n Common humanity n – – Based in respect for the human condition Culture is complex European culture is an abstraction and a fallacy Against subjugation of people i. e. natives and Africans for imperial, material purposes – Forms foundation for Anti-slavery, and women’s movements
A Note on Gender n If you were born into artisan or nobility you could be granted access, but not credit usually n Exceptions; Margaret Cavendish wife of the Duke of Newcastle, published in late 17 th century. Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) not nobility, but born and married into intellectual circles.
Mary Wollstonecraft n If the Enlightenment was about questioning the order of the world and building a common humanity, why are so many left out of this equation? n Who is citizen? Is this the same as who is human? n Mary was quite contrary. . . n Born 1759 died 1797 n In the NY public library
If you were to think of her. . . think philosophy n n A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN (1792) THE SUBJECTION OF WOMEN (1869) n n THE ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY, PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THE STATE (1884) THE SECOND SEX (1949) THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE (1963) THE DIALECTIC OF SEX: THE CASE FOR FEMINIST REVOLUTION (1970) n THE CREATION OF PATRIARCHY (1986) n GENDER TROUBLE (1990)
Wollstonecraft n What is the purpose of writing this work? n What is her major claim? n What evidence does she use? n Who is her audience? n Do you buy it? n What problems do you see with her logic?
Learning objectives n Outline the major principles of the Enlightenment philosophy. n n Describe and evaluate the central message and evidence presented in both Rousseau and Wollstonecraft’s work. n n In what way(s) to the pieces exemplify Enlightenment philosophy? Support your claims with specific evidence from the cultural artifacts. n n In what way(s) are the philosophers’ work relevant now? In what ways do we see the influence of Wollstonecraft’s or Rousseau’s ideas in our contemporary society? In which contemporary cultural artifact can you recognize the influence of the philosophers ideas? (5) Be specific. Explain the connections you identify.
Next time n Enlightened Response and Romanticism
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