The Enlightenment Philosophers What Was Their Main Idea

Literature Network  » Literary Periods  » The Enlightenment 57 The Enlightenment The Enlightenment, sometimes referred to as the Age of Reason, was a confluence of ideas and activities that took place throughout the eighteenth century in Western Europe, England, and the American colonies. Scientific rationalism, exemplified by the scientific method, was the hallmark of everything related to the Enlightenment. Following close on the heels of the Renaissance, Enlightenment thinkers believed that the advances of science and industry heralded a new age of egalitarianism and progress for humankind. More goods were being produced for less money, people were traveling more, and the chances for the upwardly mobile to actually change their†¦show more content†¦The Enlightenment was believed to be the realization of the tools and strategies necessary to achieve that potential. The Renaissance was the seed, while the Enlightenment was the blossom. The idea of a â€Å"public,† an informed collection of citizens invested in the common good and preservation of the state, reached fruition during the Enlightenment. Curiously, the coffee shop or cafà © became the unofficial center of this new entity. Citizens would gather to read whatever literature was available, to engage in heated conversation with neighbors, or to ponder the affairs of state. What made this kind of revolution in free time possible was an increasingly urban, sophisticated population coupled with the steady progress of industrialization. The coffee houses became the stomping grounds of some of the greatest thinkers of the age. Indeed, democracy would have been unachievable if the citizens had no community forum in which to commiserate, plan, and debate their needs and desires. Grassroots political movements were the natural outgrowth of these populist venues. It must be stated, of course, that this public entity was still a very exclusive one. Women, minor ities, and the lower classes were not exactly welcomed into this new civil discourse. For all the high-minded discussion of a new, egalitarian social order, the western world was still predominantly owned by middle class men.Show MoreRelatedWhat Was the Main Ideas of Enlightenment Philosophers?838 Words   |  4 PagesXavier Jefferson 4-13-13 Mr. Love What is the Church? What is the church’s purpose? What is the Church? There are many different churches in America that say to be â€Å"Christian† and all claim to be the church that Jesus built, or say they are a part of it. We need to go back to the bible and see what it tells us (Christians and non-believers) about the church. The church is â€Å"an assembly† or â€Å"called out ones but to me it is the people that make up the church. It isn’t as people think and sayRead More Age of Reason Essay example1161 Words   |  5 Pagesquotation was spoken by the famous writer and philosopher Voltaire; I believe it vaguely points out that some people are full of absurd ideas, and for others to follow such nonsense is foolish. The quote is just a taste of Voltaire’s wisdom and knowledge of the world, during the Age of Reason. The Age of Reason or The Enlightenment is defined as a change in not just a way of thinking, but an establishment of values and rational actions. â€Å"Based on Immanuel Kant’s essay â€Å"What i s Enlightenment?† it isRead MoreAn Analysis of Candide Story by Voltaire1347 Words   |  6 PagesVoltaire â€Å"Candide or Optimism† was written in the enlightenment era. Voltaire story is published in The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Voltaire’s character, Pangolss, is a philosopher who teaches about God morals. Pangolss is also a mentor to Candide, who is the main character of the novel. Candide has a good heart but is also feel s very hopeless in life. Pangloss takes Candide under his wing and teaches him that â€Å"best of all possible worlds.† The enlightenment movement is seen closelyRead MoreAge Of Reason And The Scientific Revolution1089 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent time periods. First, was the Scientific Revolution when many scholars created new ways of thinking about the natural world. The Scientific Revolution ended around the late 1600s. Although this time period was over, common ideas spread to the next period. The s econd time period in the Age of Reason was the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was when scholars and philosophers started to reevaluate old aspects of society and how it functions. The Age of Reason was made up of science revolutionistRead MoreThe Enlightenment : Main Ideas Of The Enlightenment800 Words   |  4 Pagesfreedom was another prominent theme of the Enlightenment. By this, we mean the idea that man is endowed with certain liberties or rights. These rights were believed to have been granted by God and/or nature. Enlightenment figures typically espoused ideas of equality and human dignity. The Enlightenment had individual freedom with certain unalienable rights is very much in line with the Enlightenment concept about individual freedom.In addition Enlightenment philosophers main idea was too writeRead MoreThe Enlightenment Ideas Of The American Revolution1423 Words   |  6 PagesEnlightenment’s ideas in the American Revolution People in America were mad and broke. The colonies did not like the idea of paying high taxes to the King of England. In order to show their rage and anger, they did it by not paying taxes. The King of England was frustrated by the colonist s action and send an army to the Americas to sort this problem out. However, the people of America wanted to be free from England, so with the help of the Enlightenment thinkers and the philosophers, they startedRead MoreThe Candide By The French Enlightenment1377 Words   |  6 PagesIn the novel Candide by the French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, Voltaire, the use of satire is highly prevalent. Voltaire took many of the follies and views he disagreed with during the Enlightenment and satirized them in this highly unrealistic and exaggerated novel. The events throughout the novel, even if they have some connections or roots in historical events, are seemingly preposterous and embellished because of Voltaire’s heavy use of satire . However, Voltaire merely uses these embellishmentsRead MoreThe Enlightenment And The Enlightenment During The Scientific Revolution1686 Words   |  7 Pagestherefore the motto of the Enlightenment,† (Kant). The Enlightenment consisted of the ideas of nature, reason, progress, and optimism. Sir Isaac Newton, a scientist during the Scientific Revolution, greatly influenced the Enlightenment due to his stance on natural law. The idea of a social contract, where the power to govern came from the consent of the governed, was a major force during this time period. Adam Smith, a physiocrat from Great Britain, supported the idea of laissez-faire economics.Read MoreJohn Locke And Natural Rights1049 Words   |  5 Pagesthoughts and ideals were appearing. During this time, famously known as the Enlightenment, philosophers thought of ways to better governments in the world. There were six main ideals that arose from this time period: progress, reason, natural rights, separation of p owers, the social contract and laissez-faire. These ideals shaped many governments throughout the world. The most significant ideal is natural rights. The idea of natural rights influenced many people over time and that can be seen throughRead MoreTo What Extent Was The Enlightenment The Main Driving Force Behind The American And French Revolutions?1479 Words   |  6 PagesI. Source Evaluation This investigation focuses on the causes of Atlantic Revolutions and will explore the question: To what extent was the Enlightenment the main driving force behind the American and French Revolutions? The years 1685 to 1815 (Strayer, 2011) will be the focus of this investigation to allow for an analysis of the Enlightenment ideas’ impact the need for governmental change in the American colonies and France during the eighteenth century, as well as their governmental influences