Age of Reason Vocabulary

Geocentric

Earth-centered, a system of planetary motion in which the sun, moon, and other planets revolve around the earth

Heliocentric

sun-centered, the system of the universe in which the Earth and planets revolve around the sun

Universal Law of Gravitation

one of the Newton’s three rules of motion, it explains that planetary bodies continue in elliptical orbits around the sun because every object in the universe is attracted to every other object by a force of gravity

Rationalism

a system of thought expounded by Rene Descartes based on the belief that reason is the chief reason is the chief source of knowledge

Scientific Method

a systematic procedure for collecting and analyzing evidence that was crucial to the evolution of science in the modern

Scientific Revolution

Major change in European thoughts, starting in the mid-1500s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs

Secular

denoting attitudes, activites, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis

Inductive Reasoning

the doctrine that scientists should proceed from the particular to the general by making systematic observations and carefully organized experiments to test hypotheses or theories, a process that will lead to correct general principles

Philosophe

French for “philosopher”, applied to all intellectuals during the Enlightenment

Separation of Powers

a form of government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches limit and control each other through a system of checks and balances

Deism

an 18th century religious philosophy based on reason and natural law

Laissez-faire

the concept that the state should not impose government regulations but should leave the economy alone

Social contract

the concept that an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will and all individuals should be forced to abide by it since it represents what is best for the entire community

Salons

the elegant urban drawing rooms where, in the 18th century, writers, artists, aristocrats, and government officials, and wealthy middle-class people gathered to discuss the ideas of the philosophes

Rococo

an artistic style that replaced baroque in the 1730s, it was highly secular emphasizing grace, charm, and gentle action

Checks and Balances

a system of government the ensures no single branch (executive, legislative, or judicial) becomes too powerful. Each branch can limit the powers of the others, preventing abuse of power and promoting accountability

Divine Right

The belief that a ruler’s authority comes directly from God, meaning that the monarch is not accountable to the people but to God alone

Natural Law

The idea that certain rights and moral principles are inherent to all human beings and can be understood through reason

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from having too much power. Typically, these branches are the legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws).

Enlightment

intellectual movement in Europe during the 18th century in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society