Period Enlightenment

The philosophy of the Enlightenment period is heavily influenced by the movement known as Renaissance Humanism.

What was the Age of Enlightenment?

The origins of Enlightenment preceded the Scientific Revolution

During the Age of Enlightenment, intellectuals, scholars, and philosophers would propound new ideas about the government, religious beliefs, and personal freedom

During the Enlightenment period, people started questioning the norm, and this increased curiosity led to massive development in astronomy, physics, biology, and chemistry

Science was the basis of Enlightenment discourse and thought. Therefore, many scholars believe that the Enlightenment period laid the foundation of Western political and intellectual discourse. In many ways, the Age of Enlightenment brought with it modern political ideas

While radical Enlightenment philosophers advocated for freedom of expression, eradication of religious authority, individual liberty, and democracy, the more moderate philosophers sought reform in the traditional systems of power and faith

There was a significant cultural exchange between European countries and countries across the Atlantic Ocean

Several Enlightenment philosophers and writers had backgrounds in the sciences and believed that rational scientific thinking could overthrow religious authority

John Locke, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, Moses Mendelssohn, Lady Margaret Lucas Cavendish, and Emile du Chatelet were some famous philosophers and writers during the European Enlightenment

The Origins of Enlightenment

Political thinkers started to ponder how society and politics should be structured in the aftermath of the tumultuous English Civil War. During this period, there were significant changes made to the autocratic monarchy, especially after the restoration of Charles II and the ascendancy of James II

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 to 1689 resulted in the birth of movements for political change

Political commentators believed that with policies centred around the individual, they would be able to achieve freedom from centuries of religious and political tyranny

John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government (1969) was instrumental in advocating the separation of the church and the state, religious tolerance, and the contractual obligation of the government to recognise the rights of its people

The emergence of the Age of Enlightenment can be seen in the influential works of French writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau argued that all men were born free and rational, and it was the government who was enslaving them by the constraints imposed on society

Basic Principles of the Enlightenment Period

Many poets and philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment advocated ideas of separation of church from state, instating a constitutional government, fraternity and tolerance amongst different religions and classes, liberty, and progress.

The Enlightenment philosophers questioned religious orthodoxy and emphasised scientific methods and reductionism

The philosophers and writers of this period valued empiricism and rational thought for the advancement and progress of the human race

Enlightenment-era philosophers and writers opposed the special privileges awarded to the monarchy, clergy, and nobility

The writings of this period inspired people to question the way they were governed. Many people believe that the writings and philosophies propounded in this era also influenced the French Revolution and the American War of Independence

Scientific Revolution, Individual Rights, and Secularisation

The European Enlightenment nurtured scientific temperament, which led to physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy

During this period, national thought and scientific inquiry were advocated. Therefore, people during this time were able to shed critical light on superstitious interpretations of the world and nature, which had been deduced from historical texts

At the forefront of this scientific revolution was Sir Isaac Newton. His achievement in mathematics and physics was that he was able to revolutionise the contemporary view of the natural world. His investigations were grounded in empirical experimentation. Newton made a significant impact on the scientific world by writing extensively on topics related to mechanics and gravitational forces

Isaac Newton and his contemporaries’ discoveries were significant as they showed that by embarking on purely rational and mathematical investigations, answers related to the natural world could be found

The 18th century led to the discovery and invention of several scientific instruments like telescopes, microscopes, air pumps, barometers, and thermometers

During the period of Enlightenment, people discussed the topics of personal judgements on matters of belief, which led to an increase in scepticism

The clergy believed that the Age of Enlightenment was ungodly and harmful, leading to more secularisation

This period led to a decline in church attendance and an increase in agnosticism and atheism

This was also the period of political reforms. Many people got into heated debates about political reforms and discussed the best forms of government

During this era, there was an increase in public outrage over social and economic injustices in society

Also, there was a rise in movements that advocated against monarchy, absolutism, and tyranny

Features of Age of Enlightenment

Many writers and philosophers from this period felt that the key to unlocking personal happiness for all individuals was advocating for new social contracts between the church and the state

The literature and ideas of Enlightenment supported individualism and human freedom and were highly critical of the special rights awarded to nobility and clergy members

It advocated for rationalism and scientific temperament to seek human problems and issues

The literature and philosophies of the Age of Enlightenment inspired the middle class to look beyond the church and ancient religious text for answers and to stand up against the monarchs and autocratic governments

Conclusion

The Age of Enlightenment significantly impacted several social spheres like politics and economics. The literature and philosophies of this era were instrumental in making people more socially and politically aware. The philosophies propounded during this era influenced the French Revolution and the American War of Independence. They motivated people of colour, women, and other minorities to stand up for their rights.