philosophy lecture 08

Introduction to PhilosophyIntroduction to Philosophy

IS-VNUIS-VNUMr. Mike Mr. Mike Lecture 8Lecture 8

Introduction to Philosophy

• French RevolutionFrench Revolution• Revolutionary Revolutionary

ThinkersThinkers• Idealism - Kant Idealism - Kant

The French Revolution

Unrest in France Population Increase Famine Enlightenment ideas that promote democracy

and lower prestige of monarchy The Monarchy’s Financial Crisis Feudal Oppression Popular View that the Parliaments and the

Public represent the French nation more than the monarch


Louis XVI Indecisiveness Financial Crisis Convservativism Lost Respect of French Public Viewed as a King of the

Ancient Regime (feudalism)


Palace of Versailles King Louis XVI and previous

kings didn't live in Paris (capital city of France) but in Versailles

A small town near Paris which containted the Royal Palace.

Viewed as very extravagant by the French population.

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionMarie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette Archduchess of Austria who Archduchess of Austria who

married King Louis XVImarried King Louis XVI French public disliked her French public disliked her

due to her extravagance in due to her extravagance in spending money when spending money when France was in a financial France was in a financial crisiscrisis

Also distrusted because she Also distrusted because she was Austrianwas Austrian

The French RevolutionThe French Revolution

Financial Crisis Financial Crisis Financial mismangement and the changing Financial mismangement and the changing economic world in Europe destablized the economic world in Europe destablized the French economyFrench economy

King Louis XVI brought in a number of King Louis XVI brought in a number of financial advisors to review the weakened financial advisors to review the weakened French treasury. French treasury.

Each advisor reached the same conclusionEach advisor reached the same conclusion—that France needed a radical change in the —that France needed a radical change in the way it taxed the public—and each advisor way it taxed the public—and each advisor was, in turn, kicked out.was, in turn, kicked out.

The French RevolutionThe French Revolution

Financial Crisis Financial Crisis King Louis XVI finallay agreed that this taxation King Louis XVI finallay agreed that this taxation problem really did need to be addressedproblem really did need to be addressed

He appointed a new controller general of He appointed a new controller general of finance, Charles de Calonne, in 1783. finance, Charles de Calonne, in 1783.

Calonne suggested that France begin taxing Calonne suggested that France begin taxing nobility. nobility.

The nobility refused during the Assembly of The nobility refused during the Assembly of Notables in 1787. Notables in 1787.

Financial ruin thus seemed imminent.Financial ruin thus seemed imminent.

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionThe Estates-GeneralThe Estates-General Clergy, Nobility and French Public (Third Estate)Clergy, Nobility and French Public (Third Estate) 1789 - Louis XVI convened the Estates-General to 1789 - Louis XVI convened the Estates-General to

decide on a tax solution for the finanical crisis. decide on a tax solution for the finanical crisis. The clergy and the nobility were tax-exempt and not The clergy and the nobility were tax-exempt and not

willing to be taxed.willing to be taxed. Outdated rules gave each estate a single voteOutdated rules gave each estate a single vote

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionThe Estates-GeneralThe Estates-General The Third Estate—consisting of the general French The Third Estate—consisting of the general French

public—was many times larger than either of the first public—was many times larger than either of the first two.two.

The Third Estate declared itself the sovereign National The Third Estate declared itself the sovereign National Assembly. Within days of the announcement, many Assembly. Within days of the announcement, many members of the other two estates had switched members of the other two estates had switched allegiances over to this revolutionary new assembly.allegiances over to this revolutionary new assembly.

The Revolution BeganThe Revolution Began

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionThe Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath

The new National Assembly The new National Assembly took the Tennis Court Oath, took the Tennis Court Oath, swearing that they would not swearing that they would not relent in their efforts until a relent in their efforts until a new constitution had been new constitution had been agreed upon.agreed upon.

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionLouis XVI and Antoinette Louis XVI and Antoinette

Forced to Live in ParisForced to Live in Paris

Crowds of French women stormed Crowds of French women stormed the Royal Palace in Versaillesthe Royal Palace in Versailles

King and Queen forcibly moved to King and Queen forcibly moved to ParisParis

King and Queen were not free to King and Queen were not free to leave Parisleave Paris

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionThe Great FearThe Great Fear

Peasants and farmers revolted against Peasants and farmers revolted against their feudal contracts by attacking the their feudal contracts by attacking the manors and estates of their landlords. manors and estates of their landlords.

Rural attacks continued until the issuing Rural attacks continued until the issuing of the August Decrees, which freed of the August Decrees, which freed peasants from their oppressive peasants from their oppressive contracts. contracts.

The assembly released the Declaration The assembly released the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which established a proper judicial code which established a proper judicial code and the autonomy of the French people.and the autonomy of the French people.

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionLouis XVI Tries to EscapeLouis XVI Tries to Escape

1791 – Louis XVI tries to flee 1791 – Louis XVI tries to flee France and denounces France and denounces RevolutionRevolution

Louis XVI is caught and brought Louis XVI is caught and brought back to Parisback to Paris

Louis XVI is place under arrestLouis XVI is place under arrest 1792 – Abolished the Monarchy1792 – Abolished the Monarchy

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionFrance Becomes a RepublicFrance Becomes a Republic

1792: France becomes a republic, 1792: France becomes a republic, promoting “liberty, equality, and promoting “liberty, equality, and fraternity”fraternity”

Republic takes control of Catholic Republic takes control of Catholic ChurchChurch

Sans-culottes (“without 'culottes'”) Sans-culottes (“without 'culottes'”) and tricolor (red, white, blue) flag and tricolor (red, white, blue) flag symbolize republican supportsymbolize republican support

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionEurope at War Europe at War

1792: France wars against 1792: France wars against anti-revolution European anti-revolution European powerspowers

War continues sporadically War continues sporadically for 23 years, spreading for 23 years, spreading nationalism, democracy, and nationalism, democracy, and suffering across the continentsuffering across the continent

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionReigh of Terror (1793-1794)Reigh of Terror (1793-1794) Government in hands of a few Government in hands of a few

radicals (Jacobins) led by radicals (Jacobins) led by Maximilien RobespierreMaximilien Robespierre

Aristocrats and some peasants Aristocrats and some peasants start counterrevolutionstart counterrevolution

Federalists want decentralized Federalists want decentralized revolution; crushed by Jacobinsrevolution; crushed by Jacobins

Over 20,000 people guillotinedOver 20,000 people guillotined

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionLouis XVI ExecutedLouis XVI Executed 1792 – Louis XVI charged 1792 – Louis XVI charged

with high treasonwith high treason 1793 – National 1793 – National

Convention finds Louis Convention finds Louis XVI guilty and sentenced XVI guilty and sentenced to execution to execution

21 January 1793 Louis 21 January 1793 Louis XVI was was beheaded XVI was was beheaded by guillotineby guillotine

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionMarie Antoinette ExecutedMarie Antoinette Executed 1793 – Revolutionary 1793 – Revolutionary

Tribunal brings Marie Tribunal brings Marie Antoinette to trailAntoinette to trail

No time give to prepareNo time give to prepare Most of the charges against Most of the charges against

here were falsehere were false Declared guilty of treason Declared guilty of treason

and was beheaded by and was beheaded by guillotine guillotine

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionDestablized RevolutionDestablized RevolutionMaximilien Robespierre Maximilien Robespierre becomes the leader of the becomes the leader of the National Convention during the National Convention during the Reign of Terror and acts as a Reign of Terror and acts as a dictatordictator1794 – Robespierre’s regime 1794 – Robespierre’s regime falls and he is executedfalls and he is executedReplaced by unstable Replaced by unstable government called the Directory government called the Directory (lasts until 1799)(lasts until 1799)

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionNapoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte 1799 – General Napolean 1799 – General Napolean

takes control of French takes control of French Government Government

Declares himself Emperor in Declares himself Emperor in 18041804

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary Thinkers

VoltaireVoltaire (1694–1778)(1694–1778)

Wrote satirical stories and Wrote satirical stories and plays which often criticized plays which often criticized political injustice political injustice 1726 Imprisoned in the 1726 Imprisoned in the BastilleBastille Released from prison under Released from prison under the condition that he live in the condition that he live in exile from France in Englandexile from France in England



CandideCandideSharply critical against philosophy, Sharply critical against philosophy, nobility, the church, and crueltynobility, the church, and cruelty

Philosophy: OptimismPhilosophy: Optimism Attacks the philosophical Attacks the philosophical optimism of Leibniz - optimism of Leibniz - “everything is for the best in “everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” this best of all possible worlds.”

The two optimistic characters The two optimistic characters (Candide and Pangloss) suffer (Candide and Pangloss) suffer extreme misfortune extreme misfortune



CandideCandidePhilosophy: Rationalism Philosophy: Rationalism

One of the most glaring flaws One of the most glaring flaws of Pangloss’s optimism is that of Pangloss’s optimism is that it is based on abstract it is based on abstract philosophical argument rather philosophical argument rather than real-world evidence. than real-world evidence. In the story, philosophical In the story, philosophical rationalism proves to be rationalism proves to be useless and even destructive useless and even destructive to the characters.to the characters.

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary ThinkersVoltaireVoltaire (1694–1778)(1694–1778)

CandideCandideHypocrisy of Catholic Church Hypocrisy of Catholic Church Religious Characters: Religious Characters:

Illegitimate daughter of the PopeIllegitimate daughter of the Pope

Catholic Inquisitor who keeps a Catholic Inquisitor who keeps a mistress mistress

Franciscan friar who operates as a Franciscan friar who operates as a jewel thief, despite his vow of jewel thief, despite his vow of povertypoverty

Jesuit colonel with marked Jesuit colonel with marked homosexual tendencieshomosexual tendencies

Religious leaders carry out religious Religious leaders carry out religious oppression against those who oppression against those who disagree with them on even the disagree with them on even the smallest of theological matters.smallest of theological matters.


Denis Diderot Denis Diderot (1713-84)(1713-84)

EncyclopédieEncyclopédie Published in France between Published in France between

1751 and 17721751 and 1772 Denis Diderot was the chief Denis Diderot was the chief

editoreditor Many French Enlightenment Many French Enlightenment

thinkers contributed articles thinkers contributed articles including Voltaire, Rousseau, including Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. and Montesquieu.

The largest publication in any The largest publication in any language of its time (35 language of its time (35 volumes)volumes)

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary ThinkersDenis Diderot Denis Diderot (1713-84)(1713-84)

EncyclopédieEncyclopédie Heavily influenced by the Heavily influenced by the

philosophies of Voltaire, philosophies of Voltaire, Bacon, Newton and John Bacon, Newton and John LockeLocke

Anti-Authority Anti-Authority Denied that religious teaching Denied that religious teaching was a valid source of knowledge was a valid source of knowledge of the worldof the world

Denied intellectual authority of Denied intellectual authority of the Catholic Church and the the Catholic Church and the BibleBible

Denied the intellectual authority Denied the intellectual authority of political powersof political powers

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary ThinkersJean-Jacqyes Jean-Jacqyes Rousseau Rousseau (1712-78)(1712-78)

French Philosophy who French Philosophy who was not French but Swisswas not French but Swiss

Forerunner of the Romantic Forerunner of the Romantic MovementMovement

Opposed many of the Opposed many of the values of Enlightenment values of Enlightenment philosophyphilosophy

Anti-Rationalist Anti-Rationalist

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary ThinkersJean-Jacqyes Rousseau Jean-Jacqyes Rousseau

(1712-78)(1712-78)

““CivilizationCivilization” is not a good ” is not a good thing – it is positively evilthing – it is positively evil

Reason is not a trustworthy Reason is not a trustworthy guide in lifeguide in life

EmotionsEmotions and Natural and Natural Instincts are trustworthy Instincts are trustworthy since they come from our since they come from our nature which is basically nature which is basically goodgood

Rousseau's appeal to Rousseau's appeal to emotions is an idea later emotions is an idea later embraced by the Romantics embraced by the Romantics

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary ThinkersJean-Jacqyes Rousseau Jean-Jacqyes Rousseau

(1712-78)(1712-78)

The Noble SavageThe Noble Savage Humans are born good, but Humans are born good, but

are corrupted by growing up in are corrupted by growing up in “civilized” society“civilized” society

Argued that most of European Argued that most of European culture was not civilized culture was not civilized because rationalism denied because rationalism denied suppressed natural emotionssuppressed natural emotions

““Primitive” cultures were more Primitive” cultures were more civilized because they are civilized because they are more open to emotion and more open to emotion and closer to nature closer to nature

Revolutionary ThinkersRevolutionary ThinkersJean-Jacqyes Jean-Jacqyes Rousseau Rousseau (1712-78)(1712-78)

The Social ContractThe Social Contract Human societies have a Human societies have a

collective willcollective will which is different which is different from the wills of the individualsfrom the wills of the individuals

Legislators, representing the Legislators, representing the people, should develop laws people, should develop laws based on the general based on the general (collective) will of the people (collective) will of the people

These laws must be binding for These laws must be binding for everyone in that societyeveryone in that society

Personal Freedom (Liberty) is Personal Freedom (Liberty) is sacrificed to the general will sacrificed to the general will expressed in law expressed in law

IdealismIdealism

Places importance on the ideal or spiritual Places importance on the ideal or spiritual realm in its account of human existence realm in its account of human existence Metaphysical idealism is an ontology that Metaphysical idealism is an ontology that holds that reality itself is essentially spirit or holds that reality itself is essentially spirit or consciousness or, at least, that abstractions consciousness or, at least, that abstractions and laws are more basic to reality than the and laws are more basic to reality than the things we perceivethings we perceive Epistemological idealism is the view that Epistemological idealism is the view that reality can only be known through ideas, that reality can only be known through ideas, that only psychological experience can be only psychological experience can be apprehended by the mind. apprehended by the mind.

IdealismIdealism

Immanuel KantImmanuel Kant (1724–1804)(1724–1804)

Set out to answer 2 questions: Set out to answer 2 questions: (1) What can I know? (1) What can I know? (2) How can I know it?(2) How can I know it? As a rationalist, Descartes set As a rationalist, Descartes set out to answer these questions out to answer these questions by means of reason alone. by means of reason alone.

IdealismIdealism


Every Apparatus has its Every Apparatus has its LimitationsLimitations

You can't make tea with a You can't make tea with a cameracamera

You can't take a picture You can't take a picture with a tea kettlewith a tea kettle

IdealismIdealism


Tea KettlesTea KettlesBoil water or other fluidsBoil water or other fluids

Storage of liquidsStorage of liquids

CamerasCameras

PhotosPhotos

VideosVideos

IdealismIdealism


Each of our human Each of our human faculties also have faculties also have limitations limitations

I can see with my eyes, but I can see with my eyes, but I can't taste with my eyesI can't taste with my eyes

I can taste with my tongue, I can taste with my tongue, but I can hear music with it.but I can hear music with it.

IdealismIdealismImmanuel KantImmanuel Kant (1724–1804)(1724–1804)

Our minds also has Our minds also has limits in what it can limits in what it can perceive and know perceive and know

We can use our minds to We can use our minds to interpret data received by interpret data received by our sensesour senses

We can use our minds to We can use our minds to apprehend order and apprehend order and structure in realitystructure in reality

Our minds cannot Our minds cannot apprehend possible apprehend possible aspects of reality exist aspects of reality exist outside of space and timeoutside of space and time

IdealismIdealism


Limitations of Human Limitations of Human KnowledgeKnowledge

Reality is the sum total of Reality is the sum total of everything that existseverything that exists Reality is made up of things Reality is made up of things that your human apparatus can that your human apparatus can perceive and things we cannot perceive and things we cannot perceiveperceive Human knowledge of reality Human knowledge of reality will be less than the sum total will be less than the sum total of reality – there are things in of reality – there are things in reality which we cannot know reality which we cannot know

IdealismIdealism


Representation vs. RealityRepresentation vs. Reality Photos are not the same as Photos are not the same as the thing being photographedthe thing being photographed A photo is only a A photo is only a representation of the real thingrepresentation of the real thing A sound recording is another A sound recording is another type of representation of the type of representation of the same thing from a different same thing from a different perspective perspective BUT the representation is not BUT the representation is not the realitythe reality

IdealismIdealism


Representation vs. RealityRepresentation vs. Reality Objects in Reality are Objects in Reality are completely separated things completely separated things than their representations. than their representations. A picture of an elephant is not A picture of an elephant is not an elephant. A picture of an an elephant. A picture of an elephant is only a piece of elephant is only a piece of paper with an image on it (paper with an image on it (or in or in our case and arrangement of colored our case and arrangement of colored light pixels projected on a screenlight pixels projected on a screen).).


Perception vs. RealityPerception vs. Reality Sensory perception feeds our Sensory perception feeds our mind with subject-dependent mind with subject-dependent data (sights, sounds, smells...)data (sights, sounds, smells...) Just as a picture ( or any other Just as a picture ( or any other representation) is not that representation) is not that same as the real thing, So also same as the real thing, So also our perceptions are not the our perceptions are not the same as the real thingsame as the real thing Our perceptions are filtered by Our perceptions are filtered by our senses and our rational our senses and our rational functions functions It's like a set of colored It's like a set of colored glasses we can never take off glasses we can never take off


Perception vs. RealityPerception vs. Reality We cannot apprehend reality We cannot apprehend reality beyond what our human beyond what our human faculties allow usfaculties allow us BUT, we cannot assume that BUT, we cannot assume that our perception of reality is the our perception of reality is the same as reality same as reality

IdealismIdealism


Noumena - PhenomenaNoumena - Phenomena

PhenomenaPhenomena – The reality of – The reality of things as they “appear” to us things as they “appear” to us through our human abilities through our human abilities to perceive (filtered reality).to perceive (filtered reality). NoumenaNoumena – The reality of – The reality of things as they are in things as they are in themselves apart from our themselves apart from our perceptions (unfiltered perceptions (unfiltered reality) reality)

IdealismIdealism


Noumena - PhenomenaNoumena - Phenomena

PhenomenalPhenomenal World – World – Subject to the laws of Subject to the laws of science. The only world science. The only world accessible to us.accessible to us. NoumenalNoumenal World – Not World – Not accessible through reason or accessible through reason or science. science.

IdealismIdealism


The Problem of FreewillThe Problem of Freewill Determinism rules the Determinism rules the phenomenal world which is phenomenal world which is governed by the laws of governed by the laws of science.science. Freewill exists in the numenal Freewill exists in the numenal world which is not governed by world which is not governed by the laws of science and reason the laws of science and reason and therefore not determined and therefore not determined by them. by them.

IdealismIdealism


EthicsEthics Everyone has moral concepts Everyone has moral concepts about good, right, just... about good, right, just... Everyone has moral Everyone has moral convictions about what is convictions about what is good, right, just... good, right, just... Nobody is able to completely Nobody is able to completely disregard our moral disregard our moral convictions all the time. convictions all the time.

IdealismIdealism


EthicsEthics Freewill is necessary for ethicsFreewill is necessary for ethics Everyone “practically” operates Everyone “practically” operates from freewill when they from freewill when they experience moral situationsexperience moral situations Even those who claim to Even those who claim to believe in determinism object to believe in determinism object to being treated unjustly being treated unjustly Ex. Everyone feels sad and Ex. Everyone feels sad and angry when they are robbed angry when they are robbed and beaten. and beaten.

IdealismIdealism


God???God??? ““It is thoroughly necessary to It is thoroughly necessary to be convicted of God's be convicted of God's existence, it is not quite so existence, it is not quite so necessary that one should necessary that one should demonstrate it” demonstrate it” God transcends the God transcends the phenomenal world, therefore phenomenal world, therefore we cannot prove God's we cannot prove God's existence through science or existence through science or reason. reason.

IdealismIdealism


Moral Argument for God's ExistenceMoral Argument for God's Existence Moral behavior is rationalMoral behavior is rational– If you ought to act morally the you must have a reason If you ought to act morally the you must have a reason

for acting morallyfor acting morally

Morality is only rational if ultimate Justice is a Morality is only rational if ultimate Justice is a realityreality Ultimate Justice can only happened if God existsUltimate Justice can only happened if God exists Therefore, God must exist if we want to claim that Therefore, God must exist if we want to claim that morality is real and rationalmorality is real and rational God's existence is a God's existence is a practicalpractical necessity not a necessity not a rational necessity. rational necessity.

philosophy lecture 08

Education

french revolution louis

french revolution france

french revolution europe

french revolution unrest

french population

french people

french nation

french economy king