Untitled Flashcards Set

What is the Third Estate?

A pamphlet by Abbe Sieyes arguing that the common people are the real France, not the nobility or Church.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

The first constitution of France, outlining basic human rights like free speech, free press, and freedom of religion. National Assembly

Declaration of the Rights of Women

A response by Olympe de Gouges that argued women should have the same rights as men since they share equal responsibilities.

Reflections on the Revolution in France

A British work by Edmund Burke that critiques the French Revolution, emphasizing the need to preserve institutions built by past generations.

On the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies

Published posthumously in 1543 by Copernicus, this work argued that the earth revolves around the sun, establishing the heliocentric theory.

New Astronomy

A 1609 text by Kepler that used complex mathematics to demonstrate that heavenly bodies move in elliptical orbits, supporting the heliocentric model.

The Starry Messenger

Published in 1610 by Galileo, this work detailed his telescopic observations, including lunar features and moons of Jupiter.

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems

Galileo's 1632 comparative work that evaluated geocentric and heliocentric theories, arguing for the latter based on evidence.

Principia

Newton's 1687 landmark scientific text, outlining his laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation.

On the Fabric of the Human Body

Vesalius's 1543 anatomical text featuring detailed illustrations based on dissections; foundational in medical education.

On The Motion of the Heart and Blood

Published in 1628, this critical medical text by Harvey explained blood circulation and the anatomy of the heart and vessels.

Metamorphosis of the Insects of Surinam

A 1707 entomology work by Maria Sibylla Merian, it includes detailed observations and illustrations of Surinam's insects.

Letters on Turkey

Montague's 1718 correspondence describing Ottoman life, including early smallpox inoculation practices.

Discourse on Method

Descartes's 1637 philosophical work advocating for doubt as a foundation for knowledge, famously stating 'Cogito ergo sum'.

New Instrument

Bacon's 1620 work emphasizing the necessity of empirical evidence in scientific inquiry, laying groundwork for the scientific method.

Cook’s Travels

Captain Cook's 1773 account of his voyages, detailing his observations of Indigenous cultures and landscapes in the Pacific.

On the Different Races of Men

Kant's controversial work categorizing humans into racial groups while promoting European superiority.

Supplement to Bougainville’s Voyage

Diderot's 1771 analysis contrasting European civilization with Tahitian society, arguing for the virtues of 'primitive' cultures.

Encyclopedia

Diderot's 20-year project compiling human knowledge across 24 volumes, heavily focused on philosophy and science.

Spirit of the Laws

Montesquieu's 1748 influential text advocating for separation of powers to prevent tyranny, influencing American constitutional design.

Philosophical Letters on the English

Voltaire's 1733 work praising English freedoms in speech and religion while critiquing the lack of such liberties in France.

The Social Contract

Rousseau's 1762 political treatise arguing for popular sovereignty and democracy, challenging hereditary monarchy.

The Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith's foundational economics text from 1776, advocating for free trade and the principles of supply and demand.

Vindication of the Rights of Women

Wollstonecraft's 1792 work asserting equal rights for women, emphasizing their equal capacity for reason and education.

The Republic (1576) by Jean Bodin

A political work arguing for absolute monarchy as the best safeguard against chaos, written by a high-ranking French official.

The True Law of Free Monarchs (1598) by King James I

A justification of absolute monarchy where James I argued that kings are chosen by God, using biblical examples to support his claim.

The Leviathan (1651) by Thomas Hobbes

A philosophical work advocating for a strong monarch as protection against chaos, highlighting the concept of the social contract between the rulers and the ruled.

Of Civil Government (1689) by John Locke

A treatise supporting social contract theory while asserting that people have natural rights and the right to revolt if unhappy with their ruler.

In Praise of Human Folly

A Christian Humanist work by Erasmus (1511) that uses satire to mock medieval Catholic practices, advocating for reform within the Church.

95 Theses

A collection of 95 arguments by Martin Luther (1517) against Catholic teachings on salvation, prompting discussion about indulgences and triggering the Reformation.

The Babylonian Captivity

A decisive work by Martin Luther (1520) marking his break from the Catholic Church, denouncing the pope as an antichrist.

Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants

Martin Luther's (1525) response to peasant uprisings, denouncing the revolt to gain support from the ruling class.

Institutes of the Christian Religion

John Calvin's (1536) foundational text on Protestant theology explaining predestination and organizing faith communities.

Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women

John Knox's (1558) attack on female rulers, arguing it contradicts God's law, directed against figures like Mary, Queen of Scots.

The Book of Common Prayer

A collection of English prayers and hymns used by the Anglican faith, published in 1549.

The Spiritual Exercises

A 1524 work by Ignatius of Loyola detailing actions to strengthen one's Catholic faith.

In Defense of the Seven Sacraments

A 1521 work by Henry VIII defending Catholic teachings, ironically authored by a future opponent of the Church.

Marco Polo’s Journey

Published after his return from China in 1300, this work describes the sights and remarkable life he encountered, inspiring future explorations.

Essays by Michel de Montaigne

Montaigne's 1580 philosophical work asserts that all cultures have unique norms, laying the foundation for cultural relativism.

Othello by William Shakespeare

A 1603 tragedy, 'Othello' features a complex black protagonist, marking one of the first sympathetic depictions of a black individual in European literature.

The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

This 1353 masterpiece presents a personal account of the devastation caused by the Black Death in Florence, narrating the experiences of ten young friends who seek refuge from the plague, written in the vernacular Italian language.

Autobiography by Benvenuto Cellini

A 1562 audacious work by a prominent Renaissance artist that encapsulates the era's celebration of individualism, famously declaring that 'Man can do all things', reflecting newfound confidence in human capabilities.

Oration on the Dignity of Man by Pico della Mirandola

An 1486 treatise by a Florentine philosopher that explores various religious and philosophical traditions to identify universal truths shared by humanity, which was perceived as challenging the dominance of Christian thought.

The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione

This 1528 guide on social etiquette argues for new standards suitable for the Renaissance era, asserting that a 'Renaissance Man' must embody traditional masculine virtues alongside education and artistic skills.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

In this 1512 work, Machiavelli, who served the Medici in Florence, outlines the traits of an ideal ruler, contending that such a leader should not be bound by Christian morals and advocating for the principle that 'the ends justify the means'.

Education of a Christian Prince by Erasmus

Erasmus's 1516 writing is viewed by some as a counter to Machiavelli, promoting that a ruler’s foremost goal should be to follow Christ's example and demonstrate love for their neighbors.

Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan

This 1405 work, authored by a woman in French, is recognized as one of the earliest feminist texts, arguing that women can be just as capable as men if provided with education and opportunities.

Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women by John Knox

In this 1558 critique, Knox, a significant Scottish religious and political figure, condemns the idea of female leaders, asserting it violates God's law and criticizing powerful women like Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I.

In Praise of Human Folly

A Christian Humanist work by Erasmus (1511) that uses satire and humor to mock certain practices of medieval Catholicism, such as veneration of saint's relics, aiming to provoke reform within the Church.