Transcript the enlightenment

Age of Enlightenment—16th –18th c.
OUTLINE:
I. Definition of Revolution
II.
Age of Enlightenment
III. Scientific Revolution
IV. Objection to New Ideas
V.
Age of Reason
VI. Major Thinkers
Major Ideas:
•Enlightenment was a major change in the way that people
thought of how they should be governed—inspired by discoveries
made during the Scientific Revolution.
•People in power objected to new ideas, but ideas spread and
revolutions began!
Revolution
•A profound change in the way
people think or act
•Can be applied to society,
government, economics etc.
•Often, revolutions are associated w/
a change in government
•During 17th c., the revolution was
based on new ideas and discoveries
Age of Enlightenment = period where accepted ideas and beliefs
were questioned and a “thought” revolution occurred.
Age of Science
(1500—1700)
Age of Reason
(1600—1800)
•People began to think
and analyze scientifically
•People applied new way
of thinking to humans
•Scientific theories were
questioned
•Began to look for
rational laws that
governed humans
• Led to new way of thinking
about nature
(Laws governed nature)
•Applied to government,
religion, economics…
Scientific Revolution
•New way of thinking based on observing, questioning
old ideas, experimenting and seeking proof —Age of
Exploration helped to dispel some old myths (flat earth)
•People began to question
everything—would not
believe something unless it
was proven (with science,
math etc.)
•Before, people never
questioned ancient ideas—
Greek, Roman and Biblical
Example:
•For centuries people believed in Geocentric View of the Universe
-All heavenly bodies revolved around Earth
-Stated in the Bible & believed by Greeks & Romans
During Scientific Revolution, it changed to:
•Heliocentric (Copernican) View of Universe
-Earth revolves around sun
-Theorized by Copernicus
-Proven w/ astronomy and math by Galileo
Geocentric View of Universe
Heliocentric View of Universe
Objections to New Ideas
• People in power did not
like the QUESTIONING
of AUTHORITY
•Ex: Galileo was put
on trial by Catholic Church for
the Heliocentric View because
his ideas were considered heresy
(against the church) and
punishable by death
•He recanted to avoid death—
but said after“But it (earth)
does move”—CC put him on
house arrest until he died
The Age of Reason
•Period where methods and ideas of the Sci. Rev. was applied
to humanity
•Belief that proof and reason could solve problems of society
(poverty, oppression etc)
Major Thinkers of the Enlightenment
John Locke
•English
•Wrote Two Treatise on
Government
•Right to rebel against
bad rulers
•Natural Rights (life,
liberty, property)
Thomas Paine
•American/English
•Wrote Common Sense
•Inspired American Revolution
Jean Jacques Rousseau
•French/Swiss
•Wrote The Social Contract
•Government was legitimate only
if people consented to it
•All ppl are equal
Baron de Montesquieu
•French
•Wrote On the Spirit of Laws
•System of “checks & balances”
Voltaire
•French
•Used “satire” to criticize
•Freedom of speech,
religion, the press
Denis Diderot
•French
•Edited Encyclopedia
•Power of “intellectual
community”
What Philosophers were Against
•Following tradition blindly—w/o
any proof that it should be followed
Ex:
•Power of
monarchs/nobles
•Power of
Church
•Lack of
questioning
of authority
What Philosophers were For
•Reason (logic) in
Government
•People should be equal—
No “privileged” classes
Poor should not pay for
lifestyle of the rich
•People have natural rights (life, liberty, property)
•People should be represented in
government—voting
•Government should work for people—not against them
ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS
Led to
REVOLUTIONS—when ideas were acted on –
French Revolution, American Revolution