Enlightenment

Question 1

When did the Enlightenment happen?

Answer 1

1680s to around 1789

Question 2

What was the Enlightenment?

Answer 2

• A cultural and intellectual movement
• in Europe
• during the 17th and 18th centuries
• emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines.

Question 3

Who is known as the “Father of Classical Liberalism”?

Answer 3

John Locke

Question 4

What is Classical Liberalism?

Answer 4

It emphasizes the importance of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets

Question 5

Define “Tabula Rasa” in the context of the Enlightenment.

Answer 5

A theory by John Locke suggesting that individuals are born without built-in mental content; all knowledge comes from experience or perception.

Question 6

What did Voltaire advocate for in his writings?

Answer 6

• Freedom of speech,
• religious tolerance,
• and separation of church and state.

Question 7

What is Immanuel Kant’s famous quote summarizing the spirit of the Enlightenment?

Answer 7

“Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own understanding.”

Question 8

What was the impact of the Enlightenment on religion?

Answer 8

It led to the decline of the power and influence of the church, promoting secularism and religious tolerance.

Question 9

How did the Enlightenment influence the American Revolution?

Answer 9

Enlightenment ideas about liberty, democracy, and individual rights heavily influenced the Founding Fathers and the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 10

Who wrote “The Social Contract” and what was its main idea?

Answer 10

Jean-Jacques Rousseau; it presented the concept that the state exists to serve the will of the people, who are the sovereign.

Question 11

What was Denis Diderot known for in the Enlightenment era?

Answer 11

Editing the “Encyclopédie”, a comprehensive work aiming to summarize all human knowledge, promoting Enlightenment ideas.

Question 12

Describe Montesquieu’s contribution to political thought.

Answer 12

His theory of separation of powers in government, which influenced many modern constitutions including that of the United States.

Question 13

What are Montesquieu’s three branches of government?

Answer 13

Legislative
Executive
Judicial

Question 14

What role did salons play in the Enlightenment?

Answer 14

They were social gatherings where intellectuals discussed Enlightenment ideas, aiding their spread among European elites.

Question 15

What was the Enlightenment’s view on science?

Answer 15

It emphasized empirical evidence and scientific methods, leading to significant advancements in various scientific fields.

Question 16

How did the Enlightenment affect art and literature?

Answer 16

It led to the rise of neoclassicism in art and literature, focusing on reason and clarity, often with themes of social reform.

Question 17

Who was the leading figure in Neoclassical art?

Answer 17

Jacques-Louis David

Question 18

What impact did the Enlightenment have on education?

Answer 18

It promoted education as a tool for individual empowerment and societal improvement, leading to educational reforms.

Question 19

Who was Adam Smith and what was his major work?

Answer 19

A Scottish economist known for “The Wealth of Nations”, which laid the foundations for classical economics.

Question 20

How did the Enlightenment influence the French Revolution?

Answer 20

Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity inspired revolutionary leaders and the overthrow of the monarchy.

Question 21

Name a female philosopher of the Enlightenment and her contribution.

Answer 21

Mary Wollstonecraft, advocate for women’s rights and author of “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman”.

Question 22

What was the role of “reason” in the Enlightenment?

Answer 22

It was seen as the primary source of authority and legitimacy, questioning traditional institutions and beliefs.

Question 23

How did David Hume contribute to the Enlightenment?

Answer 23

He was a Scottish philosopher known for his empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism.

Question 24

What was the legacy of the Enlightenment in modern society?

Answer 24

It laid the groundwork for modern political, educational, and scientific thought, influencing contemporary liberal democracies.

Question 25

What was the significance of “Candide” by Voltaire?

Answer 25

“Candide” is a satirical novel that criticizes blind optimism and highlights the flaws in society and government, embodying Enlightenment skepticism and advocacy for social reform.

Question 26

Who was Cesare Beccaria and what were his contributions?

Answer 26

Cesare Beccaria was an Italian criminologist and philosopher known for “On Crimes and Punishments”, advocating for criminal justice reform and against torture and capital punishment.

Question 27

What role did coffeehouses play during the Enlightenment?

Answer 27

Coffeehouses were popular public spaces where intellectuals gathered to discuss Enlightenment ideas, share knowledge, and engage in debates, acting as centers for intellectual exchange.

Question 28

Describe the impact of the Enlightenment on the status of women.

Answer 28

The Enlightenment sparked discussions about women’s rights and education, although it still maintained traditional gender roles. Figures like Mary Wollstonecraft began advocating for women’s equality.

Question 29

How did the Enlightenment influence Classical music?

Answer 29

The Enlightenment’s emphasis on clarity and balance influenced composers like Mozart and Haydn, leading to the Classical music style characterized by symmetry and expressive, yet structured forms.

Question 30

How did the Scientific Revolution (1543-1687) influence the Enlightenment?

Answer 30

The Scientific Revolution, with figures like Isaac Newton, emphasized empirical evidence and scientific methods, which strongly influenced Enlightenment thinkers to value reason, skepticism, and scientific inquiry.

Question 31

Who were key figures in the development of political economy during the Enlightenment?

Answer 31

Beyond Adam Smith, figures like David Ricardo and Thomas Malthus were instrumental in developing the field of political economy, contributing foundational ideas to classical economics.

Question 32

what was the Enlightenment’s impact on colonialism and global affairs?

Answer 32

Enlightenment ideas influenced colonial policies and attitudes towards race and culture. Philosophers like Kant and Montesquieu discussed race and culture, impacting European colonialism and global interactions.

Question 33

Who were some critics of the Enlightenment, and what were their main arguments?

Answer 33

Critics like Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued against the Enlightenment’s rationalism, emphasizing the importance of emotion, tradition, and the negative aspects of civilization, including inequality and moral degradation.

Question 34

How did the arts evolve beyond Neoclassicism during the Enlightenment?

Answer 34

Towards the end of the Enlightenment, Romanticism emerged as a reaction against Neoclassicism’s rationalism, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the sublime in nature.

Question 35

How did the Enlightenment manifest differently across Europe?

Answer 35

The Enlightenment varied regionally: the French Enlightenment was politically radical, emphasizing reform and revolution, while the Scottish Enlightenment focused more on moral philosophy and economics.

Question 36

What role did Freemasonry and secret societies play in the Enlightenment?

Answer 36

Freemasonry and secret societies fostered the spread of Enlightenment ideas, providing spaces for free thinking and discussion outside traditional institutions, influencing political and social reforms.

Question 37

Who was France’s last absolute monarch, known as “the Sun King”, who said “the State is me”?

Answer 37

Louis XIV

Question 38

What time period was the Enlightenment?

Answer 38

1648 (end of 30 Years War)
1789 (French Revolution)