Enlightenment Overview and Goals

Enlightenment Overview

• Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a philosophical movement of the 17th and 18th centuries.
• It emphasized reason and challenged traditional ideas in politics, religion, and education.
• Key characteristics included a belief in human reason as a driving force for societal progress and reform.

Enlightenment Goals

• Intellectuals sought to reform society and combat corruption.
• They aimed to challenge intolerance and promote open intellectual exchange.
• Key areas for reform included the Church and state.

Enlightenment Focus Areas

• Emphasis on reason, natural rights, progress, and the right to self-government characterized the movement.
• The focus also encompassed the order of the natural world.

Science and Reason

• Science played a crucial role in shaping the Enlightenment.
• The critical approach promoted by science challenged beliefs not supported by reason.
• This involved rejecting any belief systems not grounded in reason.

Rationalism

• Rationalism, the principle of basing opinions and actions on reason, became the dominant philosophy.
• Emotional responses and religious beliefs were less important than reason.
• This led to the rejection of anything deemed irrational, including emotions, metaphysics, and abstract thought.

European Superiority

• Europeans viewed their own culture as superior, based on reason.
• This led to the belief that other societies should adopt European models, thereby promoting their self-styled superiority.
• European superiority led to the justification of imperialism and colonialism.

Individualism

• Europeans prioritized individual achievement over collective action.
• Their argument stated that only individuals capable of reason could achieve enlightenment, thereby prioritizing individualism over a collective approach.

New Vision of the Universe

• Enlightenment thinkers challenged traditional views of the universe's creation.
• They explored geological changes and embraced biological evolution.
• The possibility of life on other planets was also considered.