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Ideas from the enlightenment
Ideas of enlightenment philosophers
Ideas of enlightenment philosophers
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Ideas from the enlightenment
Ideas of enlightenment philosophers
Ideas of enlightenment philosophers
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Recommended: Ideas from the enlightenment
The Era of Enlightenment was a cultural movement in Europe that favored reason in place of belief. It challenged the accepted views of the time which, in turn, endangered the power of absolute rulers and their system of government. This era influenced a majority of the European population, however, the monarchs of the time did not exemplify those same ideals. Catherine II of Russia’s views on serfs and peasants are a great example of a ruler defying the enlightenment movement. In her “Decree on Serfs” she states that “serfs and peasants...owe their landlords proper submission and absolute obedience in all matters” , essentially saying that serfs of the time should be completely obedient to their masters (Doc. 6).
Yaakov Kessler Mrs.Legum AP World History Enlightenment LEQ After a dark period of time a new age of philosophers committed to bettering the citizens were born. The Enlightenment Period consisted of philosophers that advocated for political, social, and economic changes. The enlightenment thinkers motivated the revolutions of the 18 and 19th century by promoting Equal rights of Man and by preaching that governments should be managed by branches instead of a monarch. One of the most influential revolutions was the American revolution whereas the American colonists were fed up with the British and declared independence from them.
The Enlightenment period gave way to many great thinkers, known in this era as philosophes, who fought to improve society through reason and their influential statuses. The main idea of Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Mary Wollstonecraft, was to change perspectives on topics of interest, that were previously discredited, in society. John Locke, who wrote the Second Treatise on Civil Government of 1690, founded the ethical idea that all men were entitled to their natural rights. Natural rights, from John Locke’s point of view, could be defined as fundamental principles possessed by each man that is set forth by nature itself. The idea of all men being equal in “what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose [manage] of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of nature…
The Age Of Enlightenment was a period in the 18th century where change in philosophy, beliefs, and cultural life took place in Europe and in the Americas. There were many historical figures that helped shaped everything that took place during this era. Two very important historical figures I will be talking about are John Adams and Samuel Adams. The two were influenced by the Age Of Enlightenment. They had very similar visions but their different actions spoke louder more than anything.
The American Revolution is a test of Enlightenment thinking because it incorporates enlightenment ideas into practical things like freedom from the government and taxes with representation. Some of the ideas tested prevailed such as freedom from the government and taxes with representation and are still present in today's society but others did not flourish. Some of the Enlightenment ideas that were tested during the American revolution were separation of powers, freedom from the government, and control over taxation. One example of freedom of the government being tested was the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson on July 4th, 1776. The declaration separated the 13 British American colonies from Great britain.
The American Revolution was between the Americans and England’s King, and the French Revolution was between the French’s king ad the third estate. The Declaration of Independence was created, because the Americans thought that all men should have the same rights and the King of England has done the opposite of what they wanted. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was created, because the French third estate wasn’t being treated like the 1st and 2nd estate and they wanted have rights that was justified. These Revolutions started from Enlightenment ideas. Enlightenment ideas were ideas that would help with individualism.
Enlightenment in the Revolutions Ideas during the revolution brought about equal rights, independence from colonists, and a responsible government in Canada. Without these ideas being brought up by various individuals, our world would be in a very different position that it is today. One of the most prominent ideas that sprouted from the revolution was equality. Before this, different people were treated less because of things such as class, race, and sex.
In chapter three we learned about the colonies and how they were established and what aspects of development helped the colonies thrive. In the discussion one of the topics we were asked to discuss about asks what two things united the colonies and colonists in North America. During the seventeenth and eighteenth century in North America there were two events that occurred that unified the colonists and colonies. They were the Enlightenment and The Great Awakening. These events gave the people of the colonies to have logical/ intelligent questions, individual freedom, and religious freedom.
Philosophers and Philosophes from ancient Greece, France, and England developed new ideas that influenced their culture and ours. Some of these Philosophers were Socrates, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. The Greek philosophers laid the foundation for the future philosophers, such as the Enlightenment thinkers. Some of the Philosophes went on to inspire revolutions, where new concepts emerged. For example, during the Enlightenment, there started to be more emphasis on the individual and your individual rights, leading to our 9th amendment in the Bill of Rights.
The Enlightenment began with the English philosopher John Locke. It was an era of spreading faith in reason, in reason, and in universal rights and laws (The Enlightenment in Europe). The ideas that were embodied by Enlightenment were life, liberty, and property. It also led to the idea of natural right. The Enlightenment influenced the way people finally realized that divine right wasn’t right and start to doubt it.
The Enlightenment was an eighteenth-century philosophical movement of intellectuals. It influenced many people like John Locke and Isaac Newton. During Enlightenment, philosophers were discussing their views on topics like marriage, religious tolerance, and government at that time. Since women were not considered equally with men, marriage was rough for them. Men did not realize the sacrifices and stuff women were doing for them.
The Enlightment era was an intellectual movement, which emphasized reason, skepticism, and also individualism. This movement stood its ground against religion and posed a quest to find truth. There were philosophers who brought up new ideas and perspective on human nature including religion. Understanding the natural world and the role of mankind based on the base of Reason. Philosophers during this era wanted proof of Gods existence.
In conclusion, the Enlightenment was vital to the American Revolution and the creation of American Government. The Enlightenment beliefs that influenced the American Revolution were natural rights, the social contract, and the right to overthrow the government if the social contract was violated. The Enlightenment beliefs that aided to the creation of the American government were separation of powers, checks and balances, and limited government. As stated before, without the Enlightenment there would not have been a revolution, resulting in no American Government. The Enlightenment’s influence on the creation of America is irrefutable.
The Classical School grew from the work of “enlightenment philosophers of the 18th century”. Two of the most important thinkers in this field are Cesare Beccaria and it was developed futher by Jeremy Bentham. The Enlightenment period saw the first formal theorising involving crime and punishment and it sought out to identify the rational way to deliver justice. There was the longing to move away from the power of the state and focus on the individual rights of the people and freedoms in which punishment was proportionate to the severity of the crime.
Ideas such as religious freedom, free trade, and social liberties earned Voltaire the label of “enlightenment thinker” along with Locke, Montesquieu, and Descartes. Though his father disapproved along with the government, Voltaire continue writing and expressing his opinions. Various types of work exhibit his ideas. Voltaire's father strongly disapproved of his passion for writing. Finding out that his son lied about working as a notary in Paris and instead pursued his dream of writing, he forced him into law (“Voltaire - Biography.”).