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Enlightenment

Enlightenment. 18 th Century 1784 (Kant) speaks of “enlightenment age” and sees it as a process Optimism mixed with awareness of evils of the day (society and government). Progress was the aim- belief in perfectibility of society by reason Values- freedom, right of man, equality

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Enlightenment

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  1. Enlightenment • 18th Century • 1784 (Kant) speaks of “enlightenment age” and sees it as a process • Optimism mixed with awareness of evils of the day (society and government)

  2. Progress was the aim- belief in perfectibility of society by reason • Values- freedom, right of man, equality • Faith in Reason- scientist, philosophes, social thinking • Secular form of Authority- Church’s power weakened

  3. Contract Theory • Concern was not with the Church- was focused on relationship vs. ruler and the ruled • Absolutism- claim- “Divine Right”, centralized government, absolute power: ruler and state replace feudal noblest chaos

  4. Contract Theory: belief there were formal reciprocal relationship/ duties between ruler and ruled • EG. British Parliament---King represents monarchy, House of Lords “aristocracy” and the House of Commons “democracy” (all had duties, all in balance --- or else) • Therefore balance of power based on customs

  5. Social Contract Video Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcrAe84tLMM

  6. Philosophes • French writers- 18th Century Enlightenment figures • Criticize evils of society (Voltaire) • Favour tolerance for all

  7. Liberal outlook • Montesqieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau • Belief in Progress of knowledge • Sought social reforms

  8. Philosophes Approach • Accept Scientific method (rationalism, empiricism-knowledge is derived from sense-experience) faith is reason • Skeptics: till proof is provided- Pierre Bayle was a source of this process converting national science (rationalism, empiricism) to history. (e.g. attack biblical absolutism) • Knowledge is power

  9. Encyclopedist • Led by Diderot (1713-1784) epitomized the spirit of Enlightenment thought • Aim to create encyclopedia showing relationship of all knowledge • Incredibly optimistic

  10. Progress • Sees ‘modern’ of French Academia overpowering “Ancients” • Belief that glories of Rome, Ancient Greece, could be surpassed • Nature and Laws repeated but Human patterns changed, varied, therefore, progress forward possible

  11. Ideas---- war wrong, self interest wrong • Progress--- genius, reason, liberty and commerce drive progress

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