THE ENLIGHTENMENT 18 TH CENTURY The Enlightenment The

THE ENLIGHTENMENT 18 TH CENTURY

� � � The Enlightenment The Age of Reason Aufklarung � Enlightenment (political, philosophical) � Neoclassicism (artistic & literary)

� � France (Voltaire, Rousseau) England (Locke, Hume) Germany (Kant, Lessing) America (Franklin, Jefferson)

� Renaissance � rediscovery � & increase in knowledge Scientific Revolution � reason, logic � laws, rules, principles � Enlightenment � Age of Reason

� � Intricacy Boldness Obscurity Extravagance � of late Renaissance

� � � cast off fears & superstitions of Medieval Age search for natural laws that governed the universe examine rational basis for all beliefs question/challenge authority of Church & State conservatism

� � � Power of the HUMAN INTELLECT to understand, to grasp the laws of the universe

� � Clarity of thought Dare to know � “Sapere aude” (I. Kant) � dare to be wise � curiosity � Objectivity, Rationality social reform � standardization of language � � � Social contract Natural Law vs. Divine Right

� � � � � Style – Simplicity Clarity of thought Restraint Regularity Good sense Decorum Sympathy COMMON SENSE

COMMON SENSE � consensus (not private) � public � � knowledge vs. private inspiration universal truths “common” � for the common reader � in common language � for common good

� � � public, not private social concern corrective reason itself can be target (Swift) like Christianity � concerned with/focuses on corruption � sought reform, improvement replacement of Christianity

� � � Rational Reasonable His Universe (Creation) � rational & benevolent � orderly system � HE, too, = rational & benevolent � Morality � social obligation � SYMPATHY (empathy) � defined in social terms, not spiritual

� � Based on DEDUCTION Nature = proof of God Creation presupposes a Creator Harmonious universe = � rational, � benevolent God Order, reasonableness of nature = God � Touch TV show