The Enlightenment emphasis on reason shaped philosophical, political, and scientific discourse from the late 17th to the 19th century. It is back to its roots in the aftermath of the Civil War and forwards to its effects on the present day.
The Age of Enlightenment was a period in history when evolutionists and intellectuals began questioning the role of society. This is often referred to as The Great ‘Age of Reason. The age of Enlightenment, or the 18th century, is when evolutionists and intellectuals reasoned about the roles they should be playing in their societies and came up with many discoveries.
Centuries of custom and tradition were brushed aside in favor of exploration, an endeavor which, in tandem with development in industry and politics, witnessed the emergence of the ‘modern world.’
National Varieties
The Enlightenment took hold in many European countries, often with a specific local emphasis. For example, in France, it became associated with anti-government and anti-Church radicalism, while in Germany, it reached into the middle classes and took a spiritualistic and nationalistic tone without threatening governments or established churches.
Moreover, many countries played a significant role in changing people’s thoughts and giving them freedom. The culture exchange during the Age of Enlightenment ran in both directions across the Atlantic. In their development of ideas of natural freedom.
European and American thinkers drew from American Indian Cultural practices and beliefs.
Major Enlightenment Ideas
During the mid-18th century, Europe saw a massive increase in philosophical and scientific activity, leading people to question long-held assumptions and beliefs.
The philosophical movement was for a society based upon reason rather than faith and Catholic doctrine, for a new civil order based on natural law. And for a science based on experiments and observations.
Political Idea:
The political philosophers introduced the idea of the separation of powers in a government, a concept which was enthusiastically adopted by the authors of the United States Constitution.
There were two distinct lines of Enlightenment thought. The radical enlightenment, inspired by the philosophy of Spinoza, advocated democracy, individual liberty, freedom of expression, and the eradication of religious thoughts.
A second more moderate variety between reforms and traditional systems of power and faith.
Scientific Method:
Science comes to play an essential role in Enlightenment discourse and thought. Many of its writers and thinkers had backgrounds in science and associated scientific advancement with overthrowing religion and traditional authority in favor of the development of free speech and thought.
Broadly speaking, Enlightenment science greatly valued empiricism, and rational thought was embedded with its idea of advancement and progress.
However, as with most views of it, the benefits of science were not seen universally.
Religion Thought:
In religion, its moment commentary was an acknowledgment of the preceding century of religious conflict in Europe. The thinker sought to crucial the political power of organized religion and prevent another age of intolerant religious war.
Several novel ideas were developed, including design (belief in God the Creator without reference to the Bible or any other source) and atheism. With some more discussion, many like Voltaire held that without belief in a God who punishes evil, the moral order of society was undermined.
Social And Industrial Revolution:
The increased consumption of reading material from assorted genres helped bring about the ‘social’ enlightenment. The industrial revolution made it possible for more and more people to have access to books, pamphlets, newspapers, and journals, among other kinds of literature.
Cave’s innovation was to create a monthly digest of news and commentary on any topic the educated public might be interested in, from commodity price to Latin poetry.
Impact:
The ideas of Enlightenment play an important role in the philosophic, political, scientific, religious, and social revolutions mentioned above. This idea is to give any class of people the freedom of speech and thoughts. It helps to raise the voice of people who cannot speak independently.
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