4.3 The Age of Enlightenment

Rationalism

A secular, critical way of thinking where nothing is accepted on faith and everything is submitted to reason.

Scientific Method

A systematic way of discovering the laws of human society and nature.

Progress

The idea that it is possible to create better societies and people.

Pierre Bayle

A French Huguenot refugee known for his skeptical views and his work 'Historical and Critical Dictionary'.

Tabula Rasa

In John Locke's philosophy, this means that a person's mind at birth is a blank slate, influenced by experiences.

Natural rights

Rights that include life, liberty, and property according to John Locke.

Consent of the Governed

The idea that a valid government is based on the agreement of the people it governs.

Voltaire's perspective on religion

He rejected Catholicism in favor of Deism, believing in a God who is uninvolved in daily life.

Encyclopedia editors

Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert were the editors.

Main goal of the Encyclopedia

To teach people how to think critically and to promote knowledge for greater human happiness.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

He advocated for direct democracy and believed that true sovereignty belongs to the people.

Scottish Enlightenment characteristics

An emphasis on common sense and scientific reasoning.

Adam Smith's advocacy

In 'Wealth of Nations,' he advocated for a laissez-faire approach to commerce and minimal government interference.

Immanuel Kant's famous question

'What is Enlightenment?' and he answered it with 'Dare to know.'

Cesare Beccaria's contribution

He called for the end of torture and capital punishment, promoting rational legal reform.

Race view during the Enlightenment

Empirical observations led to a classification of humans into races, often with Europeans considered superior.

Querelle des femmes

The debate about women's role in society during the Renaissance and Enlightenment.

Mary Astell's proposal

In 'A Serious Proposal to the Ladies,' she proposed that women should aspire to the life of the mind and suggested a women's college.

Role of women in salons

Women hosted salons that allowed for discussions on literature, science, and philosophy among intellectuals.

Enlightenment impact on government

It inspired the development of modern democratic governance and human rights.

Father of modern liberalism

John Locke is considered the father of modern liberalism due to his ideas on natural rights and government.

Significance of Mary Wollstonecraft's works

She advocated for women's rights and education, emphasizing equality between men and women.

Role of salons in the Enlightenment

Salons were social gatherings where intellectuals discussed ideas, fostering exchange of knowledge.

Empiricism

A philosophical theory which states that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience.

Montesquieu's advocacy

In 'The Spirit of the Laws,' he advocated for the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny.

Enlightenment view on superstition

It emphasized reason and science over superstition, aiming to eradicate irrational beliefs.

Significance of the phrase 'Dare to know'

It captures the Enlightenment spirit of questioning and seeking knowledge bravely.

Enlightenment's influence on the American Revolution

It provided ideological foundations for liberty, democracy, and the critique of tyranny.

Thomas Hobbes' view of human nature

Hobbes believed humans were naturally self-interested, necessitating a strong central authority.

Dutch Republic

Known for its early adoption of liberal ideas, the Dutch Republic played a crucial role in the development of modern democratic principles.

Sensationalism

The theory that all human knowledge originates in sensory experience, often associated with thinkers like John Locke.

Locke's Two Treatises of Government

John Locke's work arguing against absolute monarchy and advocating for individual rights and a government based on consent.

Baron de Montesquieu

A philosopher who argued for the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny.

Voltaire

A prominent Enlightenment thinker known for his critiques of religious dogma and advocacy for civil liberties.

Deism

A belief in a rational God who created the universe but does not intervene in human affairs, often associated with Enlightenment thinkers.

Creation of the Encyclopedia

Denis Diderot and others aimed to compile and disseminate human knowledge, promoting Enlightenment ideas.

Republic of Letters

An intellectual community of writers and philosophers in the Enlightenment who communicated through letters and publications.

Scottish Enlightenment

A period characterized by a focus on reason, scientific inquiry, and advancements in moral philosophy from Scotland.

Prussian Enlightenment

An extension of Enlightenment ideals in Prussia, emphasizing rational thought, education reform, and state-driven development.

Italian Enlightenment

Italy's contribution focused on combining Enlightenment thought with the country's rich historical context and cultural traditions.

Race science

A framework during the Enlightenment that wrongly categorized humans by race, often justifying racial hierarchies and discrimination.