12.2- Enlightenment

Quizlet I used in Middle School

Quizlet Resource

This resource provided a comprehensive overview of key terms and concepts related to the Age of Enlightenment, significantly enhancing my understanding and retention of the material.

Key Concepts

• Humanism:

  • Focus on human potential, creativity, and individual achievement.

  • Emphasis on the physical form and intellectual capabilities of humans.

  • Strong belief in the importance of acknowledging an individual’s contributions to society, leading to a more personalized approach in education and governance.

• Scientific Revolution:

  • Marked a significant shift from a focus on heavenly and religious explanations, to a systematic study of the natural world.

  • Increased emphasis on observation, experimentation, and the use of reason as methodologies for acquiring knowledge.

  • Key figures included:

    • Isaac Newton: Known for formulating the law of universal gravitation and the three laws of motion.

    • Nicolaus Copernicus: Proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, which challenged the long-standing geocentric model.

    • Galileo Galilei: Utilized the telescope to make astronomical observations that supported heliocentrism and promoted the use of the scientific method.

• Enlightenment:

  • Involved the application of reason and scientific principles to human society, governance, and ethics.

  • Promoted the belief that individuals are inherently rational beings capable of understanding and improving their own conditions through education and civic engagement.

  • Major focal points included natural rights, individual liberty, and the concept of progress in society, paving the way for modern democracy.

Key Enlightenment Thinkers

• Thomas Hobbes:

  • Asserted that humans are inherently selfish and require a strong, absolute monarch to maintain order and control.

  • His work, Leviathan, argued for a social contract that legitimizes the authority of the sovereign.

• John Locke:

  • Advocated for the notion of natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

  • Proposed that the primary role of government is to protect these rights and that citizens have the right to revolt against governments that fail to do so.

• Montesquieu:

  • His philosophy led to the advocacy for the separation of powers in government (legislative, executive, and judicial branches).

  • This separation is crucial in preventing any single body from becoming too powerful and guarantee the freedoms of individuals.

• Rousseau:

  • Highlighted the concept of the social contract and the responsibilities of citizens towards their government.

  • He emphasized the importance of the common good and cautioned about the potential for societal corruption through inequality and unchecked power.

• Voltaire:

  • A vigorous champion for freedom of speech, religion, and thought.

  • Stressed the necessity for the separation of church and state to ensure individual liberties.

Key Outcomes

• Revolutions:

  • The Enlightenment heavily influenced key historical revolutions, leading to transformative political changes:

    • American Revolution (1776): Fostered the emergence of a democratic government based on Enlightenment principles.

    • French Revolution (1789): Challenged the traditional authority of the monarchy and ushered in ideas of liberty and equality.

• Neoclassical Art and Architecture:

  • Artistically inspired by classical Greece and Rome, these styles emphasized reason, order, and simplicity.

  • Both public and governmental buildings, such as the White House, Capitol Building, and Lincoln Memorial, exemplify neoclassical principles in their design.

Key Shifts in Thinking

• From Divine Right to Popular Sovereignty:

  • The concept of kingship shifted as the idea of divine right was challenged; rulers’ authority is now seen as derived from the consent of the governed.

• From Religious Dogma to Reason and Science:

  • The Enlightenment emphasized critical thinking and empirical evidence as foundations for understanding the world, leading to challenges against traditional religious authority.

• From Hierarchical Society to Emphasis on Individual Rights:

  • Recognized the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals regardless of social class, moving toward more equitable societies, reinforcing movements towards social justice.

  • Additionally, the rise of secularism encouraged questioning established religious doctrines, resulting in more personal interpretations of faith and morality.