The Enlightenment

9th Grade World History

Enlightenment: A period after the Renaissance (1600s and 1700s) when people began using logic and reason to explain society, government and religion.

Think of this as a “light bulb” moment or a time when people “saw the light” and realized how crazy some ideas were.

1st – The Renaissance 2nd- The Scientific Revolution 3rd-Development of the Scientific

Method-Making decisions by testing an idea or hypothesis.

Enlightenment thinkers used science and reason to explain things like religion.

Seeing is believing: Only things that can be seen or observed can be true. Unless its said by Beyoncè.

People should ask questions, question everything in society.

Using common sense and evidence to explain things.

#1 Goal: Progress- Improvement of society.

#2: Go beyond the ideas of Greece and Rome.

#3: Tolerance- Enlightenment thinkers wanted religions and rulers who were more tolerant and patient.

Enlightenment thinkers were Skeptics…and jerks.

Skepticism is to question ideas that are held to be true. (To doubt, in a way or not believe.

Universal truths: Enl. Thinkers believed in Cultural Relativism: the idea that there is no universal truth because different experiences affect what people believe.

Universal religion (Many Enl. Thinkers were atheists because of this) How can every religion be right?

Determine why the Enlightenment was known as the age of reason. Define Skepticism. What were Enlightenment philosophers skeptic of? Why does Mrs. Isaacson like Dominican boys named Dolphy? What are two things you are skeptical of?

Began mainly in Paris, France. Enlightenment thinkers were called

Philosophes (French for philosophers). These were the leaders of the Enlightenment movement.

Philosophes focused on educating the upper class since they were the people with power to change society.

1751: Created the first Encyclopedia.

Made lots of knowledge available.

Gave people non-religious explanations.

Encouraged asking questions.

Hated organized religion because of all the killing in its name.

Put in jail twice for bad mouthing rich people.

Believed men were created equal.

“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”

Believed people should be ruled. Also believed in Popular

Sovereignty: Government or kings should get their power from the people.

His work was banned in France.

John Locke Influenced by English Civil War Role of government was to protect the rights of people ( Life, liberty, happiness). If government did not, people should rebel.

Locke believed humans are born with a clean slate or tabula rosa.

Humans are born without any ideas.

Each persons beliefs or ideas of truth depend on their lives/experiences.

Believed men were evil, needed to be ruled.

Supported absolutism, but with tolerance.