WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

AND GOD SAID, “LET THERE BE LIGHT”?

WHAT COMES BEFORE THE LIGHT?

Enlightenment

The Dark Ages

Medieval Period (from fall of Rome c.500BC to Renaissance c.1380s AD) Catholic Church dominated people’s hearts and minds—and

was heavily involved in politics Education was limited as civilization fought to come back from

the chaos following the decline of the Roman Empire Lots of ritual in medieval Catholicism, emphasis on saints,

miracles, mystery

Monty Python's Take

Reformations

People arguing over the reality of flesh and blood in bread and wine

Arguing religious wars Devastated much of Europe, particularly Holy Roman Empire

Reformations

Intolerance of other viewpoints, even among Protestants Despised Anabaptists Louis XIV persecuted Huguenots (Fr. Calvinists) as well as

Jansenists (Catholics who accepted some of Luther’s points)

Cromwell’s Puritan Republic Persecuted Catholics and denied them participation in govt.

Scientific Revolution

New explanatory modes—observe nature to explain how things work rather than looking to God or the Bible

These scientists still largely religious people who were exploring God’s world

Much of this happening during the Reformations and Wars of Religion

Enlightenment

What are its values?What is it reacting against?Who are the major players?Who is being impacted by this “light”?

Enlightenment Values

Application of scientific method to the understanding of all life

Buzz words—reason, natural law, hope progressUnofficial motto—Dare to know! (Immanuel Kant)

Major Players-Montesquieu

Separation of power his big contribution

Admired the English systemUsed it to criticize French

Major Players-Voltaire

Big contribution-religious toleration Felt religion was necessary for most people

Major Players-Diderot

Big contribution-Encyclopedia Idea that they could gather all their knowledge in one work,

even if it were 28 volumes Optimism

Major Players-Hume

Careful examination of common life experiencesknowledge of human nature

Major Players-Adam Smith

Disliked mercantilism; favored free markets Anti-tariff State should stay out of the economy Labor is the true wealth of a nation

Associated w/physiocratic ideas of supply and demand and laissez-faire economics (let it alone)

Major Players-Rousseau

Two-fold contribution Social contract—idea that we give up our individual freedom to

be governed and maintain civility Government a necessary evil Parachute metaphor

Education idea—leave children alone to explore; don’t stick them in desks in classrooms

Not so enlightened re:gender

Major Players-Mary Astell

Women need to be better educated Used arguments of Enlightened men against them

Major Players-Mary Wollstonecraft

Like Astell, pointed out hypocrisy of Enlightened men’s arguments vs. monarchy and for freedom when they were subjugating their wives

Major Players-Salons

Gathering place for Enlightened thinkers Run by women (in the home, food, hospitality, so no challenge

to tradition in that way) Madame Geoffrin mentioned in text

Limits of Enlightenment

Kant—Reason can only take you so far Guy who coined the unofficial motto also pointed out the

limitations

Famous quotes: To be is to do. Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal

law. You can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.

Limits of Enlightenment-Wesley

Founder of Methodism Trying to revive Anglican church Mystical experience of God Opposed to rationalistic approach of orthodox Lutherans

Limits of Enlightenment-Rococo

Over-the-top style that blended well with Baroque Emphasized grace and gentle action Fondness for curves

In Line with Enlightenment Values-NeoClassicism

Going back, again, to simplicity and dignity of ancient Greece and Rome (interesting that they’re arguing for greater participation in

government along the lines of democracy and representative republics—hmmmmm……)

Music and Order, Reason

Bach, Handel--BaroqueMozart part of the Classical music trend