Chapter 17: The Age of Enlightenment, Eighteenth Century Thought Flashcards
Two most important influences on Enlightenment
Isaac Newton and John Locke
Uniqueness of Britain politically and socially leading up to Enlightenment
England was freer than any other European nation. Practiced religious tolerance except towards Unitarians or Catholics (but they weren’t actively persecuted either), relative freedom of speech and press, limited monarchy, courts protected citizens, and less economic regulations.
Britain’s influence on the Enlightenment
Writers contrasted the progressive ways of Britain with the absence of religious toleration, overregulation of the economy, literary censorship, arbitrary arrests and influence of aristocratic military values in their own countries (specifically France).
Public opinion
The collective effect on the political and social life of views circulated in print and discussed in the home, workplace and centers of leisure. Relatively content.
Print culture
Books, journals, newspapers and pamphlets achieved a status on their own
Voltaire’s views and literary works on Britain
Letters on the English (1733), praising the virtues of the English, especially their religious liberty. Admired the moderate political atmosphere, scientific and economic prosperity.
Voltaire’s literary works and their subject matters
1733: Letters on the English. Criticized abuses of French society.
1738: Elements of the Philosophy of Newton. Popularized Isaac Newton’s ideas across the continent.
1759: Candide. Satire attacking war, religious persecution and unwarranted optimism of the human condition.
Major points of the Deists Creed
- Existence of God could be proven through empirical evidence.
- Afterlife and judgement
Life of religion and reason could be combined. Promoted religion as natural and rational rather than a supernatural, mystical phenomenon. God seen as a divine watchmaker, creating the mechanism of nature, put it in motion, and departed. Belief in life after death where rewards and punishment would be issued if you did or didn’t practice rational morality. Hoped acceptance of their faith would end rivalry amongst other churches and eliminate the need for priests and ministers. May were anti-clerical and associated with being politically radical.
Ethics
Written by Baruch Spinoza. Most famous of his works. Contemporaries believed that he identified God and nature too closely, leaving little room for the possibility of the distinctly divine revelation to humankind in scripture. Interpreted by Christians and Jews that human beings might not be personally responsible for their actions and that there would be no personal individual immortality of the human soul after death.
Moses Mendelsohn
Leading Jewish philosopher of the 18th century. “Jewish Socrates.” Advocated the entry of Jews to a modern European life. Jews could combine loyalty to Judaism while embracing Enlightenment thought. Wrote Jerusalem/On Ecclesiastical Power and Judaism (1783) for extensive religious toleration and maintain religious distinction. Also believed Jewish communities shouldn’t ex-communicate members over different theological opinions or acceptance of modern secular ideas.
Pascal’s view of Islam
Shared belief with other Christian critics. Believed Islam to be a false religion and Mohammad as a false prophet because he performed no miracles. He voices these thoughts in his Pensées.
Editors, contributors, topics/themes and effects of The Encyclopedia
Diderot and d’Alembert. 100+ authors, including all the major French philosophers of the time. Included most advanced, critical ideas of religion, philosophy and government, as well as articles an d pictures of manufacturing, canal building, ship construction and agriculture. This spread Enlightenment thought, especially German and Russian political and intellectual circles.
On Crimes and Punishments
- Marquis Cersare Beccaria. Italian aristocrat and philosophe. Applied critical analysis to the problem of making punishments effective and just. Wanted laws of government to conform with rational laws of nature. Believed the criminal justice system should ensure a trial and the intent of punishment should be to deter further crimes. Laws should follow a utilitarian framework. Attacked the acts of torture and capital punishment.
Adam Smith and views on Mercantilism
Professor at Glasgow University in Scotland. Believed mercantilism should be abolished. Thought that economic liberty was the foundation to a natural economic system and that the best way for economic growth was to allow individuals to pursue their own selfish desires. Challenged ideas of zero-sum and limited resources. Founder of Laissez-Faire Economics that favored limited government action in the economy.
The Wealth of Nations
- Written by Adam Smith. Did not oppose all government activity in economics and believed the government should at least provide schools, armies, navies and roads.
