Radical Ideas

Question 1

Comment on the Medieval World Picture

Answer 1

The world picture remained the same for a long time (Middle Ages, Early Modern Age): Ptolemeic and geo-centric, the world is the centre of the universe

Question 2

Have an overall idea about the organization of Dutch education

Answer 2

Primary schools (Dutch), also in the countryside: everybody should be able to read the Bible

Secondary schools: French schools (girls and boys), Latin schools (boys only)

Universities (Latin, male students only)

Question 3

Explain how both empiricism and rationalism challenged the old ideas about the world

Answer 3

Discovering and exploring the world
Scientific curiosity, collecting
New techniques: telescope, microscope
Exchange of new knowledge
Universities were not the most innovative institutes, most of the new knowledge was produced by talented individuals and shared in the Republic of Letters

Question 4

Discuss the role of the Dutch in the so-called Radical Enlightenment

Answer 4

France: ‘Radical Enlightenment’ (against Monarchy and Roman Catholic Church)

England: focus on scientific ideas (the political revolution took place earlier: Glorious Revolution, William III 1688-1689)

Germany, Dutch Republic: ‘Christian Enlightenment’: move towards a moderate, reasonable form of christianity