Short Essay 3

Question 1

Is idealism at the root of modern innovation? (1)

Answer 1

Idealism is at the root of modern innovation. There is a constant drive to create something that is currently unknown and out of reach, emphasizing the ideological motive of innovation.

Question 2

Evidence to support that idealism is The root of modern innovation (2)

Answer 2

When looking at Abbot Suger’s reconstruction of the St. Denis church building in Paris in the late 1130s. In his reconstruction, Suger expressed something of philosophical or political ideals in every part of the structure, emphasizing his symbolic intentions

Question 3

How did the rebuilding of the St. Dennis church start the second crusade(3)

Answer 3

Came to symbolize some of the ideals
Sugers enthusiasm caught others imaginations, starting an idealistic movement
This crusade can be taken as the beginning of the modern phase in technology where changes are deliberately made in order to approach some unrealized ideal that is always one step beyond what current techniques make possible.

Question 4

How was cathedral building an art form (4)

Answer 4

Expressing religious truths through symbolism, and religious emotion through mass and space and soaring height

Question 5

Did cathedrals show economic incentives (5)

Answer 5

Although it did express civic pride and mercantile prosperity, prey suggests that invention depends on the exercice of imagination, and that ideals are often a more effective trigger to the imagination that are economic incentives

Question 6

Goal of the gothic vision (6.5)

Answer 6

To glorify god and represent heaven on earth through space (stained glass), height, harmony, light (lightness of structure)
To allow worshippers to have greater access to transcendental presence of god

Question 7

Conclusion for idealism innovation

Answer 7

Excitement and restlessness about trying to reach unrealized ideal, and the restless, creative spirit of exploring new things brings about new discoveries