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==The Enlightenment==

==The Enlightenment==

The “Enlightenment” was a philosophical movement in the 1700s that emphasized an intellectual approach rejecting traditional social, political and (sometimes) religious views.  Philosophers in the Enlightenment felt that breakthroughs in science, such as Isaac Newton’s discoveries, could be duplicated in other fields through a systematic and logical approach.  However, Newton’s breakthroughs were inspired by his Christian faith, while some of the Enlightenment thinkers rejected and even criticized Christianity.  There were Enlightenment philosophers in England, France and even the American colonies.  There were stunning new works in classical music, and the arts flourished in what is known as the neo-classical period.

The “Enlightenment” was a philosophical movement in the 1700s that emphasized an intellectual approach, and rejected traditional social, political and (sometimes) religious views.  Philosophers in the Enlightenment felt that breakthroughs in science, such as Isaac Newton’s discoveries, could be duplicated in other fields through a systematic and logical approach.  However, Newton’s breakthroughs were inspired by his Christian faith, while some of the Enlightenment thinkers rejected and even criticized Christianity.  There were Enlightenment philosophers in England, France and even the American colonies.  There were new works in classical music, and the arts flourished in what is known as the neo-classical period.

Notice a bias in the term “Enlightenment” itself.  The term makes it appear that people, some who rejected religion, became enlightened compared to their ignorant ancestors.  In fact, the achievements of the so-called “Enlightenment” movement were not any greater than other movements and periods in history, and there are valid criticisms of the Enlightenment.

Notice a bias in the term “Enlightenment” itself.  The term makes it appear that people, some who rejected religion, became enlightened compared to their ignorant ancestors.  In fact, the achievements of the so-called “Enlightenment” movement were not any greater than other movements and periods in history, and there are valid criticisms of the Enlightenment.

Frenchman Voltaire (1694-1778) was a leading philosopher in the Enlightenment, advocating freedom everywhere and emphasizing his form of reason.  He wrote ''The Candide'', in which Voltaire described many bad things that happen to Candide, in order to make the point that the world could be a better place.  Increased freedom was Voltaire’s way of improving things.  His ideas later formed the basis of the French Revolution, when many innocent people (including the French royalty and much of the aristocracy) were murdered and churches were destroyed amid a reign of terror.

Frenchman Voltaire (1694-1778) was a leading philosopher in the Enlightenment, advocating freedom everywhere and emphasizing his form of reason.  He wrote ''The Candide'', in which Voltaire described many bad things that happen to Candide, in order to make the point that the world could be a better place.  Increased freedom was Voltaire’s way of improving things.  His ideas later formed the basis of the French Revolution, when many innocent people (including the French royalty and much of the aristocracy) were murdered, and churches were destroyed amid a reign of terror.

Englishman John Locke (1632-1704) was the leading political philosopher, whose ideas helped the American colonists form a new government.  Locke described society as a contract between an individual and society.  This was a radical concept at a time when monarchs and the divine right of kings was the controlling theory.  Locke’s view helped lay the foundation for the constitutional government that we use in the United States.  Locke built on the prior work of Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes.

Englishman John Locke (1632-1704) was the leading political philosopher, whose ideas helped the American colonists form a new government.  Locke described society as a contract between an individual and society.  This was a radical concept at a time when monarchs and the divine right of kings was the controlling theory.  Locke’s view helped lay the foundation for the constitutional government that we use in the United States.  Locke built on the prior work of Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes.

The Scotsman David Hume (1711-1776) was a philosopher and historian who promoted materialism and naturalism rather than spirituality.  He was a “skeptic” (non-believer) towards religion, and he penned ''A Treatise on Human Nature''.  He quipped, “You can tell what is inside a person’s soul by what comes out if it.”  Hume is considered the greatest philosopher to write in English, but that is only because there were so few good English philosophers.  Hume has been criticized for his atheistic approach and his chief claim to fame is that Charles Darwin declared Hume to have been his central influence.  “Darwin’s bulldog,” Thomas Henry Huxley, also relied on Hume’s philosophy.  Hume believed in relativism rather than absolute truth, and that not even what God creates has absolute beauty: “Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them,” Hume declared.<ref>David Hume’s ''Essays, Moral and Political'' (1742).</ref>

The Scotsman David Hume (1711-1776) was a philosopher and historian who promoted materialism and naturalism rather than spirituality.  He was a “skeptic” (non-believer) towards religion, and he penned ''A Treatise on Human Nature''.  He quipped, “You can tell what is inside a person’s soul by what comes out if it.”  Hume is considered the greatest philosopher to write in English, but that is only because there were so few good English philosophers.  Hume has been criticized for his atheistic approach and his chief claim to fame is that Charles Darwin declared Hume to have been his central influence.  “Darwin’s bulldog,” Thomas Henry Huxley, also relied on Hume’s philosophy.  Hume believed in relativism rather than absolute truth, and that not even what God creates has absolute beauty: “Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them,” Hume declared.<ref>David Hume’s ''Essays, Moral and Political'' (1742).</ref>

The German Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was one of the most famous philosophers ever.  In his “A Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant criticizes pure reason as a guide to life.  Kant may not have been a Christian himself, but he considered Christian values to be the best values in the world.  Kant also established a systematic basis for critical philosophy and suggested a material origin for the solar system.  Kant’s own suggestion for a moral daily life was this:  don’t do something which, if everyone did it, then the outcome would be bad.  Expressed another way, an '''act is moral only if it works as a rule for everyone'''.  For example, littering would be wrong because if everyone did it, then there would be an ugly mess.  Kant is taught in all college philosophy departments to this day.

The German Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was one of the greatest philosophers ever.  In his ''A Critique of Pure Reason'', Kant criticizes pure reason as a guide to life.  Kant may not have been a Christian himself, but he considered Christian values to be the best values in the world.  Kant also established a systematic basis for critical philosophy and suggested a material origin for the solar system.  Kant’s own suggestion for a moral daily life was this:  don’t do something which, if everyone did it, then the outcome would be bad.  Expressed another way, an '''act is moral only if it works as a rule for everyone'''.  For example, littering would be wrong because if everyone did it, then there would be an ugly mess.  Kant is taught in all college philosophy departments to this day.

Finally, let’s recognize American contributions during the Enlightenment.  The greatest works about government were created by the Founding Fathers.  These works include the Declaration of Independence (1776) with its statement of inalienable rights and a right to break the social contract with a ruler when he (the king) violates natural rights.  The United States Constitution (1787) gave the world a masterful design for government.  The Federalist Papers (1788), and particularly articles by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (most notably No. 10), were also significant.

Finally, let’s recognize American contributions during the Enlightenment.  The greatest works about government were created by the Founding Fathers.  These works include the Declaration of Independence (1776) with its statement of inalienable rights and a right to break the social contract with a ruler when he (the king) violates natural rights.  The United States Constitution (1787) gave the world a masterful design for government.  The Federalist Papers (1788), and particularly articles by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (most notably No. 10), were also significant.