The Spreading Of The Enlightenment Or The Age Of Reason

The Enlightenment Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was the spreading of reason and universal rights and laws across Europe. People such as John Locke and Isaac Newton began publishing new ideas that were unheard of by most Europeans at the time, and spreading them throughout the country. This time period began in the mid 17th century and continued throughout much of the 18th century. The major principles of enlightenment thought were the search for universal knowledge, the expansion of literacy and critical thinking, and faith in reason. Throughout the Enlightenment, the goal that was to gather all knowledge and create a work that incorporates all knowledge in a way it relates to all men and women. The 1751 French Encyclopedia, “comprised of twenty-eight volumes containing essays by nearly 200 intellectuals,” offered the most relevant information to the people at the time than any other piece (Reader 202). Universal knowledge also offered “greater control over...subjects” (Reader 204). Many states were

In the marketplaces across Europe there was an “emerging marketplace for new books and new ideas” (Reader 201). The marketplaces allowed ordinary people to take part in the Enlightenment, educate themselves, and spread the knowledge that they gain. Book clubs and coffee houses also started emerging throughout Europe, and allowed the now educated middle and lower class to converse and use critical thinking in discussions concerning major problems and new ideas. Pornography, also spilled into literacy marketplaces during the Enlightenment period. These works displayed the more squalid side of the Enlightenment, but clearly demonstrated the “willingness to explore” of the thinkers during the time (Reader 201). The People began defying religious beliefs and other institutions, to greater their knowledge and understanding and spread what is