Age of Enlightenment

Definition

The Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a philosophical and intellectual movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It emphasized the use of reason, scientific inquiry, and individualism to challenge traditional social, political, and religious structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Enlightenment was a reaction against the perceived dogmatism and superstition of traditional religious and political authorities.
2. Key Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant, emphasized the importance of individual liberty, freedom of expression, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
3. The Enlightenment promoted the idea of progress, where society could be improved through the application of reason and scientific inquiry.
4. The Enlightenment influenced the American and French Revolutions, which sought to establish new political and social orders based on Enlightenment principles.
5. The Age of Enlightenment laid the groundwork for the development of modern democracy, human rights, and the scientific method.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Age of Enlightenment influenced the development of scientific inquiry and the scientific method.
  • The Age of Enlightenment placed a strong emphasis on the use of reason and empirical observation to understand the natural world. This led to the development of the scientific method, which involves formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Enlightenment thinkers, such as Isaac Newton, challenged traditional beliefs and encouraged a more systematic and evidence-based approach to scientific investigation. This shift towards empiricism and rationalism laid the foundation for the rapid advancements in science and technology that occurred during the Enlightenment period.
• Describe the relationship between the Age of Enlightenment and the emergence of modern political and social ideologies.
  • The Enlightenment's focus on individual liberty, equality, and the separation of church and state had a profound impact on the development of modern political and social ideologies. Enlightenment philosophers, such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, challenged the divine right of kings and advocated for representative government and the protection of natural rights. These ideas inspired the American and French Revolutions, which sought to establish new political systems based on Enlightenment principles. The Enlightenment also contributed to the rise of liberalism, which emphasizes individual freedoms, and the growth of secularism, which promotes the separation of religion and state.
• Analyze the influence of the Age of Enlightenment on the concept of progress and its impact on societal and technological advancements.
  • The Enlightenment's emphasis on the power of reason and scientific inquiry led to a belief in the idea of progress, the notion that society and knowledge could be continuously improved through the application of rational thinking and empirical investigation. Enlightenment thinkers, such as Condorcet and Turgot, believed that human civilization was on a trajectory of constant improvement, driven by advancements in science, technology, and social institutions. This mindset fostered a spirit of innovation and experimentation, which in turn led to significant advancements in fields like medicine, transportation, and communication. The Enlightenment's faith in progress and its commitment to using reason to solve societal problems had a lasting impact on the trajectory of human civilization, setting the stage for the rapid technological and social changes that would define the modern era.

Related terms

Rationalism: The philosophical view that reason is the primary source of knowledge and that truth can be derived through logical deduction and critical analysis.

Empiricism: The theory that knowledge is derived from sensory experience, rather than from innate ideas or deductive reasoning alone.

Secularism: The principle of separation of state and religious institutions, and the view that public education and other social institutions should be independent of religion.