2. “Age of the Enlightened”
Intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Ideas concerning God, reason, nature, and man were
synthesized into a worldview
The ideas promoted by the philosophs instigated
revolutionary developments in art, philosophy, and
politics.
3. Main themes
Origins in the scientific and intellectual revolutions of
the 17c.
Thinkers felt that change and reason were both possible
and desirable for the sake of human liberty.
Philosophers provided a major source of ideas that
could be used to undermine existing social and political
structures.
4. Some characteristics
Rationalism --> logical reasoning based on facts.
Cosmology --> new world view based on Newtonian
physics --> analysis of Natural phenomena as systems.
Secularism --> application of scientific theories to
religion and society.
Scientific method -->
experimentation; observation; hypothesis.
Utilitarianism (Bentham) --> laws created for the
common good and not for special interests. ” The
greatest good for the greatest number.”
5. Some characteristics
Optimism & self-confidence --> anything is possible (a
reversal of medieval thinking).
Tolerance --> a greater acceptance of different
societies and cultures.
Freedom --> a mind as well as a society free to think,
free from prejudice.
Mass education.
Legal / penal reforms --> Beccaria, Bentham.
Constitutionalism.
Cosmopolitanism.
6. The Philosophs
They attacked Christianity for its rejection of science,
otherworldliness, and belief in man's depravity
Deism
Their major sources:
LOCKE --> man's nature is changeable and can be
improved by his environment.
NEWTON --> empirical experience and the rationality
of the natural world.
7. The Philosophs
BRITAIN exemplified a society in which enlightened
reason served the common good.
FRANCE became the center for Enlightenment since
its decadent absolutism and political and religious
censorship seemed to prove the need for reform.
Paris salons.
Diderot's Encyclopedie
8. The Philosophs
Physiocrats:
FRANCOIS QUESNAY --> land is the only source of
wealth, and agriculture increases that wealth;
therefore, the mercantilists were
wrong to put so much importance on the
accumulation of money.
ADAM SMITH --> Wealth of Nations --> he challenged
mercantilist doctrine as selfish and unnatural;
the interdependence among
nations; "Father of Modern Capitalism".
9. The Philosophs
Montesquieu --> The Spirit of the Laws
-- admired the British government.
-- separation of powers in the government.
-- checks and balances.
10. The Philosophes
Rousseau --> The Social Contract
-- "Father of Romanticism".
-- he differed from the other philosophes, esp.
-- law is the expression of the "General Will."
-- rejected science and reason; go with your
feelings (inner conscience).
-- "Man is born free, but is everywhere in chains!"
11. The Philosophs
Voltaire -- Candide
-- champion of individual rights.
-- "I do not agree with a word you say, but I will
defend to the death your right to say it!"
-- leading advocate of Enlightened Despotism.
12. Enlightened Despotism
Prussia:
-- Frederick I (1714-1740) -- the "Seargent" King.
-- Frederick II (1740-1786)
Habsburg Austria:
-- Maria Theresa (1740-1780) --> Pragmatic Sanctions.
-- Joseph II (1765-1790) --> considered to be the only
true "enlightened" despot.
Russia:
-- Peter the Great (1682-1725) --> Westernization
("Windows to the West").
-- Catherine the Great (1762-1796) --> rigorous foreign
policy; partitions of Poland.
