Age Of Enlightenment DBQ

The Age of Enlightenment has transformed the world into the interactive, academic, global community it is today. Over a few centuries, many thinkers, scientists, and other Enlightenment figures shared their thoughts on important matters and refused to be silenced. These people transformed the political, social, and moral norms that many people had consented to. The Age of Enlightenment emphasized fairer government, exchange of ideas, and doing things out of curiosity. The Age of Enlightenment transformed the political norms of the age by emphasizing fairer government. Copernicus, an Enlightenment scientist, wrote in his letter to Pope Paul III that while the Church frowned upon science, it could “contribute even to the well being of

Oldenbury, the Secretary of the English Royal Society, wrote in a letter to a German scientist that amicable relationships between educated people aided “investigation and elucidation of the truth” (Doc 6). This shows how it gradually became the social norm to exchange ideas with others. Oldenbury appreciated the sciences and wanted scientific ideas to spread all over the world. Cavendish, a female English natural philosopher, wanted to set up a school of philosophy but was not able to due to the “self-conceit of the masculine and the disregard of the female sex” (Doc 9). This shows that while society was increasingly more progressive, women were still limited more than men in their rights and responsibilities. Cavendish was more outspoken about the inequalities between men and women because she was a philosopher and woman herself. Colbert, the French finance minister under Louis XIV, wrote that due to the increasing prosperity of the country, France “[established] several academies for both letters and sciences” (Doc 10). This shows how it became increasingly acceptable for people to study science. Colbert seems to support science because it is an indicator of a powerful and prosperous country. The Enlightenment started out as very secretive, but then it became increasingly more public because society began to accept

Calvin, the founder of Calvinism, wrote that science is an art that “unfolds the admirable wisdom of God” (Doc 2). This shows that while the Church disapproves of science, it can still help people understand the phenomena that occur in the Bible, and consequently, strengthen people’s religious beliefs. Calvin supported both religion and science and believed they should not conflict with one another. Bacon, one of the contributors to the scientific method, wrote that the goal of science was “that human life be endowed with new discoveries and powers” (Doc 4). This shows that the intention of science was to help people understand the world, not to cause harm to others. Bacon supported the sciences and believed scientific knowledge should be easy to access and understand. Charleton, a doctor and natural philosopher, wrote that the activities of atoms were “impossible to imagine” (Doc 8). This shows that people felt the urge to observe the laws of nature because they were curious. Charleton supported science and believed that people should make scientific discoveries to explain everyday occurrences. Leibniz, a German philosopher, wrote that movements of matter were “produced for the happiness of the good” (Doc 11). This shows that people got satisfaction from making discoveries about this matter. Leibniz was likely a deist and believed that humans are logical and they