Essay on The Enlightenment - 1246 Words

The history of Western civilization cannot be neatly divided into precise linear sections. Instead, it must be viewed as a series of developing threads that combine, interact, and, at various intervals, take pervasive shifts. The Enlightenment of the eighteenth century was one of these paradigm historical shifts, challenging the traditional notions of authority by investing reason with the power to change the human condition for the better. This ecumenical emphasis on reason and independent thought led to an explosion of change and development across science, philosophy, religion, and politics. Later ideologies that would shape the socioeconomic landscape of the next two centuries were themselves shaped by the threads of Enlightenment†¦show more content†¦Anthropological optimism pervaded the philosophical debates, however, standing in stark contrast to the pious hierarchical philosophies of the Middle Ages. As the Enlightenment ideals of reason and unfettered thinking were applied to the religious realm, they produced diverse effects. It does not suffice merely to say that the time period was characterized by a universal decline in religion, for in addition to the anti-religious diatribes of those such as Voltaire, there was a rise in several diverse religious schools of thought. Deism, which arose in the late seventeenth century in England, was a popular product of the search for a rational and natural religion because of its denial of God’s active involvement with the world after creation. Although many started to call special revelation and the validity of scriptural claims into question, the rise of devotional movements such as Pietism and Methodism exemplified the range of religious thought and practice during the Enlightenment. Religion was going through metamorphosis, not annihilation. Politically and economically, the Enlightenment gave birth to as wide a range of ideologies as it did religiously. The philosophical emphasis on the po tential of man led to a spectacular amount of new thinking in the areas of liberty, natural rights, and the structure of government. Although the particular course that political thought took during this time varied between nations,Show MoreRelatedThe Enlightenment1278 Words   |  6 Pages World Literature The Enlightenment’s Impact on the Modern World The Enlightenment, Age of Reason, began in the late 17th and 18th century. This was a period in Europe and America when mankind was emerging from centuries of ignorance into a new age enlightened by reason, science, and respect for humanity. This period promoted scientific thought, skeptics, and intellectual interchange: dismissing superstition, intolerance, and for some, religion. Western Europe, Germany, France, and Great BritainRead MoreWhat Is Enlightenment1120 Words   |  5 PagesIn his essay titled What is Enlightenment? Immanuel Kant defines enlightenment as mans leaving his self-caused immaturity. (145) In order to fully comprehend his definition, one must first clearly understand Kants use of the term immaturity. He explains that immaturity is not thinking for oneself because of a lack of determination and courage to use ones intelligence without being guided by another. (145) To Kant, immaturity is the individuals fault. He explains that a pattern of immaturityRead MoreThe French Enlightenment Vs British Enlightenment Essay1813 Words   |  8 PagesTimes, discusses the topic of the French Enlightenment versus British Enlightenment in his article Two Theories of Change. He proposed that French philosophers such as Descartes focused on creating entirely new truths and taking out the past truths. Where, on the other hand, British philosophers such as Adam Smith, took the past truths and instead of discarding them, modifying them to fit the ever-changing times. Brooks described the British Enlightenment way of though as believing the were â€Å"a smallRead MoreSummary Of The Enlightenment Salons767 Words   |  4 PagesRepublic of Letters: A Cultural History of the French Enlightenment (1994) and Becoming a Woman in the Age of Letters (2009). In her article, â€Å"Enlightenment Salons: The Convergence of Female and Philosophic Ambition,† (1989) Dena Goodman stresses the pivotal role of women, as salonnià ¨res, in the transformation and governance of eighteenth-century French Enlightenment salons, which were the base of the philosophes’ pursuit of the Enlightenment project; furthermore, Goodman argues the reciprocal successesRead MoreWhat Is Enlightenment1028 Words   |  5 PagesA More Enlightened Contemporary Society What is Enlightenment?, an explication that was written in 1784 in Prussia by the philosopher Immanuel Kant, discusses the principles that he deems to be truths surrounding significant topics such as freedom, reason, and an individual’s and/or societal necessity to be fully mature, in terms that he described as being scholar. Here, what is most evident is the reality that while he perceived the society as being unprepared to be fully mature, he neverthelessRead MoreNapoleon And The Enlightenment1214 Words   |  3 PagesNapoleon And The Enlightenment The enlightenment was a time of great learning throughout Europe during the eighteenth century. Although the period is significant for scientific and other scholastic advancements, it is most important because it allowed for the opening of great minds--such as that of Napoleon Bonaparte. Shortly after this enlightenment made its way through Europe, revolution and civil war ripped through France between 1879 and 1899. The unrest of the time called for a strong rulerRead MoreThe Enlightenment Essay999 Words   |  4 Pagesideas about our universe were not widely accepted, especially from the church. This soon changed due to the hard work and perseverance of several scientists and philosophers who unbeknownst to them brought about an era known as the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment, which eased into existence in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries created a new way of thinking based on rationality. Scholars and intellects were free to debate and have informed discussions about such things as science, religionRead MoreThe Rise Of The Enlightenment1577 Words   |  7 PagesIn the midst of darkness, the people of France saw a beacon of hope when the Enlightenment gave them a glimpse of how great their life could be. The Enlightenment was a collection of ideas from various philosophers in Europe to question old views of society and use reason to create a better society. The enlightenment ideas focused on the people and their needs, prompting for governments to protect people’s basic rights to liberty, life, and equality. France, at the time, was suffering under the weakRead MoreThe Era of Enlightenment1074 Words   |  4 Pages The Enlightenment was an era of major social and political change in 18th century Europe. The Enlightenm ent was centered in France, which at the time was a dominant force in Europe ruled by an oppressive government. During this era, many intellectuals began to question some of the norms and customs of European society, such as monarchy and religious discrimination. These intellectuals helped spread new ideas about human rights and democracy, which helped inspire the revolutions that followedRead MoreAge Of Enlightenment1210 Words   |  5 PagesThe Age of Enlightenment has historically been affiliated with drastic skepticism and revolution in politics, philosophy, science, and communications, amongst other disciplines. In the early eighteenth century, people began to challenge the idea that rulers, spirits, and Catholicism were dominant over other ways of life. Although the Enlightenment primarily prevailed in parts of Europe in countries such as England and France, it was also crucial in determining several aspects of colonial America