The Enlightenment
Natural science, reason: can explain all aspects of life
Natural science, reason: can explain all aspects of life
The scientific method can explain the laws of nature
Natural science, reason: can explain all aspects of life
The scientific method can explain the laws of nature
Progress is possible if the laws are understood and followed
Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757)
Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757)
Goal: make science understandable
Skeptical about absolute truth & cynical about religion
Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)
Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)
Skepticism: nothing can be known beyond all doubt
John Locke (1632-1704)
John Locke (1632-1704)
Ideas derive from experience (tabula rasa)
Montesquieu (1689-1755)
Montesquieu (1689-1755)
Separation of powers
Voltaire (1694-1778)
Voltaire (1694-1778)
Praised English scientific progress (Newton)
Friends in high places
Disagreed with Montesquieu, Locke: good monarch is best one could hope for
Deism: God a distant “clockmaker”
Encyclopedia
Denis Diderot
David Hume (1711-1776)
David Hume (1711-1776)
Human mind: bundle of impressions
Ideas reflect experiences --> reason can’t tell us anything beyond sensory experiences
Marquis de Condorcet (1743-1794)
Marquis de Condorcet (1743-1794)
9 stage of human progress achieved
10th would be perfection
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
General will: common interest of the people
Basic human goodness must be protected (civilization not good)
Inspired later romantic reaction against reason
Rapid growth: European book market
Growth of illegal book trade
Salons: center of discussion and debate
upper classes: leisure time
Medieval & Reformation: sin & salvation
Renaissance: worldly matters, looking backwards
Enlightenment: worldly matters, looking forward