Enlightenment: Rationalism, Science, Philosophy & Political Thought

These vocabulary flashcards cover the major Enlightenment themes, thinkers, scientific advances and political philosophies discussed in the lecture.

Enlightenment

18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, natural law and human potential over tradition and superstition.

Rationalism

Philosophy that knowledge comes from reason and evidence, rejecting supernatural explanations.

Secularism

World-view that separates learning and authority from religious doctrine.

Natural Law

Universal, consistent principles thought to govern nature and human affairs (e.g., gravity).

Empiricism

Gaining knowledge through observation and experiment; foundation of scientific method.

Scientific Method

Systematic process of hypothesis, experimentation, analysis and repeatability to build reliable knowledge.

Skepticism (Enlightenment)

Attitude of doubting claims not supported by logic or evidence.

Isaac Newton

English physicist whose 1687 Principia Mathematica set out the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Principia Mathematica

Newton’s masterwork outlining mathematical laws of motion and gravity.

Law of Universal Gravitation

Newton’s principle that every mass attracts every other mass with a force proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to distance squared.

Mechanical Universe

Enlightenment idea that the cosmos operates like a machine governed by natural laws.

Benjamin Franklin

American polymath who applied science to practical problems; inventor of the lightning rod, Franklin stove and bifocals.

Applied Science

Use of scientific knowledge to solve everyday, practical problems (e.g., Franklin’s inventions).

Lightning Rod

Metal conductor invented by Franklin to draw lightning safely into the ground, preventing fires.

Franklin Stove

Cast-iron heating stove that used less wood and distributed heat more efficiently than open fireplaces.

Bifocal Glasses

Eyeglasses with dual lenses for near and distant vision, created by Franklin.

Voltaire

French Enlightenment writer-philosopher who promoted deism and criticized church authority.

Clockmaker Analogy

Voltaire’s metaphor depicting God as a creator who sets the universe in motion but does not intervene.

Deism

Belief in a creator God who establishes natural laws but refrains from daily involvement in human affairs.

Original Sin

Christian doctrine that humanity inherits sin from Adam and Eve; rejected by John Locke.

John Locke

English philosopher advocating tabula rasa, natural rights and the social contract.

Tabula Rasa

Locke’s concept that humans are born as a “blank slate,” shaped by experience rather than innate sin.

Natural Rights

Inalienable rights inherent to every person—life, liberty and property—per Locke.

Social Contract (or Compact)

Voluntary agreement by which individuals create government to protect their natural rights.

Consent of the Governed

Principle that legitimate government derives its authority from the people’s voluntary agreement.

Divine Right of Kings

Doctrine that monarchs rule by God’s will; challenged by Enlightenment thinkers like Locke.

Republicanism (small-r)

Political philosophy favoring government based on popular sovereignty and protection of natural rights rather than hereditary rule.

Human Agency

Enlightenment belief that people can understand and change their world, not merely accept fate.

Secular Authority

Non-religious sources of power and knowledge that challenge church and monarchy monopolies.