The Enlightenment
analytical Essay
1244 words
The history of Western civilization cannot be neatly divided into precise linear sections. Instead, it must be viewed as a series of developing threads that combine, interact, and, at various intervals, take pervasive shifts. The Enlightenment of the eighteenth century was one of these paradigm historical shifts, challenging the traditional notions of authority by investing reason with the power to change the human condition for the better. This ecumenical emphasis on reason and independent thought led to an explosion of change and development across science, philosophy, religion, and politics. Later ideologies that would shape the socioeconomic landscape of the next two centuries were themselves shaped by the threads of Enlightenment thought. These threads did not abruptly end, as some would suppose, with the French Revolution, but can still be seen in various modes of thought today.
The importance that the Enlightenment placed upon reason was most obvious in the spheres of science and philosophy. Although this time period saw a rapid increase in scientific knowledge, the overarching idea behind the discoveries was that man could realize his full potential and progress towards perfection through the application of reason. Descartes’ epistemological foundationalism encouraged skeptical analysis in order to arrive at indubitable truth, and set the tone for the new metaphysics that emerged along with a vigorous interest in “natural philosophy” and the inductive study of the physical realm. At the same, however, there was intense philosophical discussion about the nature of the material world that was being studied. Some, like David Hume, believed that we had no way of knowing if our perceptions and the external world actually co...
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the enlightenment gave birth to a wide range of ideologies, including liberty, natural rights, and the structure of government.
- Explains clauson, m., the nineteenth century powerpoint, making of the modern mind, cedarville, ohio.
- Argues that the enlightenment was a paradigm shift in western civilization. it was an ecumenical emphasis on reason and independent thought that led to an explosion of change across science, philosophy, religion, and politics.
- Argues that the enlightenment's anthropological optimism has been tainted by the atrocities of the past two centuries of human history, but its scientific optimism continues to thrive.
- Explains the history of europe in encyclopdia britannica. lawhead, w. f., and mills, d.
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- The Enlightenment: The Age Of The Enlightenmentexplanatory essayThe Enlightenment was the period lasting from the mid-seventeenth century and throughout the eighteenth century in which, thought and culture led to brilliant revolutions in science, society, politics, and philosophy. People living in this time often referred to it as the “Age of Reason”. During this time a contemporary western culture developed and was a precursor to the beginning of our ever-expanding technological and political world. This era brought representative government, an aura of freedom, and belief that people could better human existence. The Enlightenment idea was partially taken from John Locke’s “Essay Concerning Human Understanding”.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the enlightenment period, which led to brilliant revolutions in science, society, politics, and philosophy.
96 wordsRead More - Overview of The Enlightenmentexplanatory essayThe Enlightenment was a period of history throughout the mid-decades of the seventeenth century and during the course of the eighteenth century, in which intense revolutions in science, philosophy, society and politics occurred. This part of history was important because it was an enormous departure from the Middle Ages. Seldom before and after this time, did the Church have as much power as it did during the Enlightenment. There were three main eras of the Enlightenment: The Early Enlightenment, The High Enlightenment, and The Late Enlightenment and Beyond. Each era had a few important people related to the movement. There were also other factors contributing to the Enlightenment. These include Rationalism, Empiricism, and skepticism. How we see nature and what we know about it as it changes with the changes of modern science. “It belongs centrally to the agenda of Enlightenment philosophy to contribute to the new knowledge of nature, and to provide a metaphysical framework within which to place and interpret this new knowledge.” The Enlightenment eventually presented an approach to the nineteenth-century Romanticism.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the enlightenment was a period of history in which intense revolutions in science, philosophy, society and politics occurred.
- Explains that the early enlightenment was the period of 1685-1730. important contributors included francis bacon, renee descartes, and galileo.
- Explains that there was no single, unified enlightenment, but a french, scottish, english, german, swiss, or american one.
- Explains that the high enlightenment was based on the discussions and publications of french philosophers voltaire and rousseau. it was also a time of religious and anti-religious innovation.
- Explains that the late enlightenment and beyond occurred from 1780-1815. the french revolution was a bloody terror that showed restrictions of its own philosophies.
- Concludes that the enlightenment was important for many reasons. it provided the philosophical basis of the american revolution.
- Explains that the house of representatives met in a special session to resolve the impasse. after 30 hours of debate and balloting, mr. jefferson emerged as the president and mr burr the vice president.
- Explains that the salons in paris and berlin were the locus of the enlightenment thinking, but the practical application of those ideas was carried out most vividly in the american colonies.
- Describes the scottish enlightenment home's website.
- Cites bristow, william, and sparknotes for their "enlightenment." stanford university.
965 wordsRead More - Theories of the Enlightenmentanalytical essayThe Middle Ages were marked by a long period of stability in the intellectual world. Generally, people were discouraged from rational inquiry, as the Catholic Church heavily monitored all scientific and metaphysical thought. With the invention of the printing press in the mid-fifteenth century, the dogmatic and human-centeredness views of the Middle Age world scholars were tested. Humans began reading and making inferences about documents that they held to be sacred and at the center of life and, by the sixteenth century, books were printed in mass quantities throughout Eurasia. Leading scientists and theologians, such as Galileo Galilei, began to argue that both Scripture and science can be right with the latter helping to better interpret the former. (AR 2) Born out of the revolutionary ideas of Galileo, and many others, were the hopeful theories of the Enlightenment. However, when these inspiring theories met cold-hard reality, the resulting tensions had a profound impact on daily life throughout the early modern period.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the middle ages were marked by a long period of stability in the intellectual world.
- Analyzes how the abundance of printed material and the revolution in the scientific world led early modern thinkers to search out new methods of inquiry.
- Analyzes how locke's philosophy reflected the turn to empiricism in great britain. the ascension of william and mary and the glorious revolution of 1688 brought him back to england and made possible the publication of two works that cemented his reputation as one of the enlightenment’s greatest thinkers.
- Explains that locke argued for the rightful overthrow of a tyrannical government in two treatises, an idea that would quickly resonate with thinkers on both sides of the atlantic.
- Explains how the industrial revolution began in britain in the mid-eighteenth century. it shifted from agriculture and handcrafts to manufacturing by machines and automated factories, leading to a huge industrial working class.
- Analyzes how industrialization brought modest improvements in living conditions, but workers were still inundated by long hours, little pay, and a decreasing sense of self-confidence.
- Explains that the dichotomy between philosophical theory and practical politics was inevitable during the early modern period.
1317 wordsRead More - There are many philosophers that make up the Enlightenment period. Some of the philosophers were John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant. They each had different contribution and influences to the Enlightenment era. John Locke was the most prevalent and influential to the American legal system because he adopted the idea of the right of Life, Liberty and Property. “The People of Enlightenment believed the almightiness of human knowledge and defied the tradition and the pre-established thoughts of the past. This is the period in which the humans became overconfident in the human Reason and rationality”. Locke was able to discuss various issues that needed to be communicated within a society. “Locke’s writings did much
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- Explains that john locke, thomas hobbes, jean jacques rousseau, and immanuel kant were influential in the enlightenment period.
- Explains that john locke believes that everyone has been given an equal opportunity of being capable of thinking in a reasonable manner. this is similar to the idea stated in the declaration of independence.
- Analyzes how john locke influenced the second amendment in the bill of rights, the right to bear arms.
- Explains that the right to own property is a strong belief of locke's. the fifth amendment states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
- Explains that john locke's influence on america was consent by the governed. the concept of the social contract was of great significance.
- Analyzes how locke's beliefs influenced gay marriage. he believes that natural rights are necessary and something that should be essential.
- Explains that john locke has influenced america greatly. he contributed a great amount of knowledge on the social contract, natural rights, and consent from the governed citizens.
1127 wordsRead More - Rene Descartes: French Mathematician and Philosopheranalytical essayDescartes, R. (2004). Discourse on the method of rightly conducting the reason and seeking truth in the sciences.Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing, LLC
In this essay, the author
- Describes rene descartes as a 17th-century mathematician and french philosopher whose life's work focused on providing an in-depth explanation of human existence and the reality we live in today.
- Explains that descartes was born in lahayer, france on march 31, 1596. his schooling focused on theology, philosophy, science and mathematics, including the study of the metaphysical and geometry.
- Explains that descartes' ideas were different from other 17th century philosophers who based findings on emotion, not reason. he proved existence of man by the act of doubting.
- Analyzes how rene descartes' self-doubt led him to develop the framework of modern philosophy. vanhoozer's discourse on method proves the existence of human reality and god.
- Analyzes how descartes asks the hard questions in the reality of human existence in this most vital portion of the discourse.
- Analyzes how descartes' work was guided by the principle that whatever is clearly and distinctly perceived must exist — he chose to showcase his work in an autobiography format.
- Analyzes how descartes' discourse on method was published anonymously in 1637 to avoid conflict and scrutiny of his writings during the 17th century scientific revolution.
- Analyzes how descartes uses his style and storytelling to show the reader how math and science could be used to mentally obtain knowledge rather than trusting the often faulty human body and sensory systems for the obtaining of knowledge.
- Analyzes descartes' theme of discourse on method, which focuses on reason versus the fallibility of the human sense of perception.
- Analyzes how modern philosophers strive to advance the dual realm of mind being responsible for reason and separate from the physical experience of being human toward a more "monistic conception of the word."
- Explains that descartes was a part of the 17th century scientific revolution, writing unique and new philosophical findings, at an important time in history.
- Explains cunningham, l. s., reich, j. j, and wadsworth publishing. culture & values, volume ii: a survey of the humanities.
- Explains descartes' discourse on the method of right conducting the reason and seeking truth in the sciences.
- Describes henry, john, the scientific revolution and the origins of modern science.
- Cites kraus, p., & hunt, f. descartes discourse on method: translated with an interpretive essay.
- Explains vanhoozer, k. j., discourse on matter: hermeneutics and the'miracle' of understanding.
1852 wordsRead More - The Enlightenment Dbqanalytical essayMini-Q Essay A time period known as The Age of Reason or The Enlightenment was when philosophy, politics, science and social communications changed drastically. It helped shape the ideas of capitalism and democracy, which is the world we live in today. People joined together to discuss areas of high intellect and creative thoughts. The Enlightenment was a time period in which people discussed new ideas, and educated people, known as philosophers, all had a central idea of freedom of choice and the natural right of individuals. These philosophers include John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft.
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- Explains that the enlightenment was a time period when philosophy, politics, science and social communications changed drastically. it helped shape the ideas of capitalism and democracy.
- Explains that john locke, an english philosopher and physician, was an influential enlightenment thinker. he believed that people were entitled to have control over themselves as long as it adheres to the law.
- Explains that voltaire's experiences helped him develop his views on religion. he believed that everyone had the right to choose their religion and be free to practice that religion where they want.
- Explains that adam smith was an economist and philosopher during the enlightenment and established the idea of natural liberty. he believed that the people had the economic right that could not be taken away.
- Quotes mary wollstonecraft's a vindication of the rights of woman, in which she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education.
- Argues that without john locke, voltaire, adam smith, and mary wollstonecraft, modern society would lack natural rights and freedom of choice. the enlightenment philosophers argued that the theory of natural law allows individuals to be subject to moral law.
875 wordsRead More - The Enlightenment Movementexplanatory essayThe 18th-century Enlightenment was an era that symbolized the desire to change social order of Europe citizens. The Church was thought to have been the source of truth and condemned any person that went against it, but people were beginning to think separately and independently from the Church. Thinkers of the Enlightenment provided new ideas based on reason, science, and valued humanity. In addition, writers of the Enlightenment intended to alter the relationship of people and government. Although many welcomed the Enlightenment, five movements reacted against the ideas of the era. Conservatism was a reaction against the Enlightenment because it reflected ideas based on tradition and hierarchy. The ideas of Liberalism were built on the foundation of the Enlightenment but began to mimic middle class values. The followers of Nationalism became excessively dedicated to the viewpoints of their nation. The socialist movement was a reaction against the Enlightenment because as it progressed it took on the resemblance of Nationalism. Lastly is the movement of romanticism and unlike the Enlightenment, this movement rejected natural science.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 18th-century enlightenment symbolized the desire to change social order of europe citizens.
- Explains that conservatism was a political and social movement that embraced tradition and any change that came about was minimal. the reluctance towards changes in society was opposite to the ideas of the enlightenment.
- Explains that the ideals of liberalism were based on the belief that there should be equal opportunities for everyone afforded by set laws.
- Explains how the nationalist ideologies were a reaction against the enlightenment, which promoted equality of all nationalities and religions, as well as rational in knowledge.
- Explains that socialism was a thought and political movement that gained attention during the increase of displacement caused by the growth of market economies in europe.
- Explains romanticism was founded on romantic philosophy, the belief that encouraged emotional self-awareness. it rejected philosophy of the enlightenment because it believed that nature was meant to be studied and explored.
- Explains that the enlightenment was a movement that attempted to introduce new ways of thinking, views of nature and religion, but other movements rejected it and introduced additional ideologies.
1048 wordsRead More - Causes and Effects of the Protestant Reformationanalytical essaySporre, Dennis J. The Creative Impulse: An Introduction to the Arts. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996. 310-378.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the catholic church was a for-profit organization rather than god's voice on earth. the most outrageous form of corruption was the sale of indulgences.
- Analyzes how a corrupt papacy relyed on nepotism to promote their families' interests, and how lucrezia borgia was an example of manipulative behavior by the leader supposedly chosen by god
- Describes the catholic reformation as the church's response to the formation of protestantism.
- Analyzes how both branches of christianity fought for their religious beliefs in the renaissance. the thirty years' war entangled denmark, sweden, france, and spain.
- Explains that the protestant reformation, guided by the expanding influence of humanism and the corruption of the catholic church, led to religious warfare. a separation of this magnitude brought conflict yet progressive improvements to both sides.
- Explains dennis sporre's the creative impulse: an introduction to the arts. upper saddle river, nj: prentice hall, 1996.
- Explains that the protestant reformation didn't happen overnight, as catholics lost faith in the once-infallible church since the great schism, when two popes declared the other the antichrist.
- Explains duiker, william j., and spielvogel. world history. 3rd ed. belmont, ca: wadsworth/thomsom learning, 2001.
1175 wordsRead More - Essay On The Enlightenmentanalytical essayThe Enlightenment influenced the American Revolution by giving the colonists an opportunity to decide to break away from the British rule. Colonists were able to see a different lifestyle than they were used to. John Locke played a large role in the influence. The main principles of the enlightenment were to reject traditional belief based upon religion, emotion, and spirituality. It mainly relied upon LOGIC, REASON, and IDEAS. Ideas of freedom of speech, freedom from religious rules, freedom to experiment, freedom to question authority, existing institutions and laws, reliance upon superstitions, ignorance, spirituality. It was influences by the Church, the Crown, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. Jefferson relied heavily on his philosophy event to the point of adopting Locke´s life, liberty, and property to his the Declaration of Independence. He tried to pursue equal rights therefore proclaim this in his Declaration of Independence. He asked for rights jet gathering the government to protect those rights.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the enlightenment influenced the american revolution by giving the colonists an opportunity to break away from the british rule.
- Analyzes how the pre-revolutionary era in american history generated encouraging conditions for enlightenment thought to succeed on an order comparable to that witnessed in europe.
- Explains that both moderate and radical american enlightenment thinkers influenced the rights more, including benjamin franklin and george washington.
- Explains that jefferson wanted to return the rights of private individuals to the people since they were taken away by englishmen that only wanted their money. james madison responded to anti-federalists' demand for a bill of rights as condition of ratification.
- Analyzes how the american enlightenment promoted the idea of a republic, whereby the state's head is popularly elected.
- Analyzes how the enlightenment influenced the american revolution by giving the colonists an opportunity to break away from the british rule. john locke played a large role in the influence.
1176 wordsRead More - Enlightenmentanalytical essayDuring the eighteenth century, ideas came into place that economic improvement and political reform were possible. This movement of ideas was called the Enlightenment. Inspired by the scientific revolution, the Enlightenment led people to challenge the Church authority and the traditional intellectual authority. Enlightened people believed in a commercial society, expanding consumption, agricultural improvement, and innovative rational methods. Some among the Enlightenment, such as Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu, caused the spirit of innovation and improvement to come and characterize modern Europe and Western Society. Although they were all philosophes, they had different philosophies about the purpose of life, the source of evil, and a perfect society.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the enlightenment was inspired by the scientific revolution and led people to challenge the church authority and traditional intellectual authority.
- Explains that voltaire's philosophy of life stated that if people cultivated their own garden, the world would be a better place.
- Explains voltaire's philosophy of a perfect society and montesquieu’s belief that the sovereignty of the nation must be divided.
- Analyzes voltaire's philosophy of the source of evil, which is that the main problems in the world are superstition, intolerance, greed, dishonesty, and oppression.
- Explains that philosophes created a path in modern european and western thought. they applied reason and science the cause of social reform and believed that passions and feelings were an essential part of human nature.
- Summarizes the works of montesquieu, voltaire, rousseau, the encyclopedists and nicholas de condorcet.
591 wordsRead More