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Rationalism

Rationalism. “Age of Reason” The pendulum swings far from Puritans— the obvious dichotomy of time periods. Vocabulary. Deism American Dream Connotation Denotation. Historical Background. 1600’s: Scientific Revolution Time to reason and experiment Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

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Rationalism

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  1. Rationalism “Age of Reason” The pendulum swings far from Puritans— the obvious dichotomy of time periods

  2. Vocabulary Deism American Dream Connotation Denotation

  3. Historical Background • 1600’s: Scientific Revolution • Time to reason and experiment • Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) • Discovers laws of gravity--physics • People wantrealanswers for events • Ex. Smallpoxbreakout: Boston 1721 • Cotton Mather (1663-1728) • Puritan doctor • Inoculates 300 people – saves town!! • Creates a life of leisure (faster, easier, better)

  4. Historical Background • 1700-1800’s: The Enlightenment • Questioning place in life • Technology has created free time to think • Ponder: equality, happiness, power, property, government, inalienable rights, freedom, etc. • American Revolution (1775-1783) • Result of Enlightenment in the colonies • Declaration of Independence (1776)

  5. Themes and Beliefs • Deism: • God created the universe but does not interfere in its workings • ClockmakerAnalogy– makes the watch, winds it, then leaves it alone • World operates according to God’s rules –use reason to discover those rules • “God made it” stories (origin/creation myths) no longer good enough • God wants people to be happy --worship God best by helping other people

  6. Themes and Beliefs • Conquering vs. surviving nature • Birth of cities • Self-made Americans emerge • Tradesmen (silversmith, newspapers) • Making money • Education • Shift from moral teachings to practical/scientific

  7. Form and Style • Rooted in reality • Appeals to logic • Forms of writing • Practical and sometimes political • Pamphlets • Newspaper articles • Speeches • The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin • First American tale of the self-made man • Beginning of the American Dream

  8. Connections?? • Do we see similar Rationalist beliefs and themes today? How? Why? Why/not? • Is there any writing, film, music, etc. today that has a similar form or style to the Rationalists? • Does this connect with any of your other classes? Studies?

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