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| − | The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European (and American) [[philosophy]] and intellectual life generally, that emphasized the power or reason and science to understand and reform the world. Some classifications also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]]. The style it favored is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier Baroque and the later Romantic styles). The Enlightenment saw major advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]). | + | The so-called "'''Enlightenment'''" was an 18th-century movement in European [[philosophy]] and intellectualism that emphasized the power or reason and science, rather than [[Christianity]], to understand and reform the world. Some classifications also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]]. The style it favored is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier Baroque and the later Romantic styles). The Enlightenment claims advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by Christianity. The crowning political effect of the Enlightenment was the [[French Revolution]], which culminated in the burning of churches and the beheading of accomplished Frenchmen. |
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| − | The Enlightenment advocated reason as the primary basis of authority, downplaying emotion and ecclesiastical authority. As presented by [[Voltaire]], [[Isaac Newton]] was the great hero for his demonstration that rational thought could explain the heavens. Developed in [[France]], England, [[Scotland]], and the German states, it influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]]. | + | The Enlightenment advocated an atheistic form of reason rather than [[faith]] as the primary basis of authority, downplaying emotion and even criticizing ecclesiastical authority. [[Voltaire]] cited [[Isaac Newton]] as a hero of rational thought, but in fact Newton turned to the Bible for daily inspiration and guidance. Developed in [[France]], England, [[Scotland]], and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]]. |
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| | Politically the Enlightenment was marked by governmental consolidation, nation creation, greater rights for the common people, and a diminution of the influence of authoritarian institutions such as the nobility and the Church. The ideology of [[Republicanism]] led to the [[American Revolution]] and the [[French Revolution]]. By 1800 or so the Enlightenment was replaced by the [[Romantic Era]], with special impact on the arts. | | Politically the Enlightenment was marked by governmental consolidation, nation creation, greater rights for the common people, and a diminution of the influence of authoritarian institutions such as the nobility and the Church. The ideology of [[Republicanism]] led to the [[American Revolution]] and the [[French Revolution]]. By 1800 or so the Enlightenment was replaced by the [[Romantic Era]], with special impact on the arts. |
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| | ==Leaders== | | ==Leaders== |
| − | Intellectually the Enlightenment was identified with the "philosophes," who aggressively spread the new gospel of reason. They were a brilliant collection of scientists, philosophers and writers including [[Voltaire]], [[Montesquieu]], [[Holbach]], [[Condorcet]], [[Denis Diderot]], [[Buffon]], [[Turgot]] and [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]] in France; [[David Hume]], [[Adam Smith]] and several others in Scotland; [[John Locke]], [[Edward Gibbon]], [[Samuel Johnson]] and [[Jeremy Bentham]] in England; and [[Johann Herder]], [[Gotthold Lessing]] and [[ Immanuel Kant]] in Prussia. In America the leading Enlightenment thinkers were Rev. [[Jonathan Edwards]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]] and [[Alexander Hamilton]]. | + | Intellectually the Enlightenment was identified with the "philosophes," who aggressively spread the new gospel of reason. They were a brilliant collection of scientists, philosophers and writers including [[Voltaire]], [[Montesquieu]], [[Holbach]], [[Condorcet]], [[Denis Diderot]], [[Buffon]], [[Turgot]] and [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]] in France; [[David Hume]], [[Adam Smith]] and several others in Scotland; [[John Locke]], [[Edward Gibbon]], [[Samuel Johnson]] and [[Jeremy Bentham]] in England; and [[Johann Herder]], [[Gotthold Lessing]] and [[ Immanuel Kant]] in Prussia. The influence of the Enlightenment in America was less than in Europe, though supporters of the French Revolution such as [[Thomas Jefferson]] could be cited as followers. |
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| − | Philosophes were endorsed by "enlightened despots"—rulers who tried to impose reform by authoritarian means, including [[Joseph II]] of the Holy Roman Empire (Austria), [[Frederick II]] of Prussia, [[Catherine II]] of Russia, and [[Charles III]] of Spain.
| + | Philosophers were endorsed by "enlightened despots"—rulers who tried to impose reform by authoritarian means, including [[Joseph II]] of the Holy Roman Empire (Austria), [[Frederick II]] of Prussia, [[Catherine II]] of Russia, and [[Charles III]] of Spain. |
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| | ==Science== | | ==Science== |