European Beliefs and Science Before 1914

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Questions and Answers

What was the impact of Einstein's general theory of relativity on the scientific community?

It eliminated confidence in human reason.

It confirmed traditional classical physics.

It opened the scientific world to new ideas. (correct)

It diminished interest in irrational thought.

How did Nietzsche characterize Western bourgeois society?

As a model of cultural creativity.

As a society driven by emotional understanding.

As decadent and creatively stifled. (correct)

As a group of rational thinkers.

What was Nietzsche's stance on Christianity's influence on Western civilization?

He considered it a necessary moral compass.

He thought it had a minimal impact on society.

He criticized it for promoting a 'slave morality'. (correct)

He believed it enhanced human creativity.

What must one do to achieve the renewal of Western society, according to Nietzsche?

Acknowledge that 'God is dead'. Signup and view all the answers

What did Nietzsche propose as a result of eliminating God and Christian morality?

The creation of a 'superman'. Signup and view all the answers

What notable position did Nietzsche reject concerning societal governance?

Political democracy. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Henri Bergson and what was his influence?

A philosopher who challenged rational thought in the early 20th century. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major theme in the intellectual discourse before 1914?

A tension between faith in progress and critiques of reason. Signup and view all the answers

What did Bergson believe about rational, scientific thought?

It can only provide useful knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What was Sorel's view on the potential of nonrational thought?

It could inspire violent action for socialist aims. Signup and view all the answers

How did Sorel envision the general strike?

As a mythic image inspiring workers to take action. Signup and view all the answers

What major concept did Freud introduce that challenged the rational view of the human mind?

The influence of the unconscious on human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which method did Freud NOT use to explore the content of the unconscious?

Rational argumentation. Signup and view all the answers

What did Freud believe about earlier experiences in relation to behavior?

They strongly determine behavior even if they are unconscious. Signup and view all the answers

What subject matter did Impressionist artists often focus on?

Busy streets and leisure activities Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did Freud's theories contribute to human rationality?

They undermined optimism about the rational nature of the mind. Signup and view all the answers

What technique did Camille Pissarro advocate for in Impressionist painting?

Loose brushstrokes and capturing light Signup and view all the answers

How did Sorel perceive the capability of the masses in governance?

They were incapable of ruling themselves effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Which painting is credited with giving Impressionism its name?

Impression, Sunrise Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable characteristic of the first Impressionist exhibition?

It included the works of three women artists. Signup and view all the answers

How did Impressionist artists differ from traditional academic artists?

They sought originality and rejected conventional methods. Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of traditional French academic artists to Berthe Morisot's work?

They considered her work inferior to theirs. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of nature did Monet attempt to capture in his artworks?

Interplay of light and water Signup and view all the answers

What did Pissarro mean by saying 'Do not define too closely the outlines of things'?

Avoid rigid boundaries in painting. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the perception of art by the beginning of the twentieth century?

The task of art to represent reality was losing meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason that led artists to reject visual realism?

Photography's ability to capture reality more efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

Which art movement is Pablo Picasso most associated with?

Cubism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following works is considered to be the first Cubist painting?

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon Signup and view all the answers

What influenced the new styles of painting developed between 1905 and 1914?

The arrival of photography and psychological developments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary argument Fyodor Dostoevsky makes regarding human behavior?

Free will is essential for individual happiness. Signup and view all the answers

In 'Notes from Underground', who is the narrator that shares his views?

The Underground Man Signup and view all the answers

What criticism does Dostoevsky express about the Enlightenment belief regarding human interests?

That people often choose paths contrary to their interests. Signup and view all the answers

According to Dostoevsky, what role does reason play in human life?

It only satisfies rational needs and does not encompass all aspects of life. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dostoevsky imply about the nature of human life?

Human life is complex and encompasses both impulses and reason. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Underground Man express disdain for in his monologue?

The idea of human progress. Signup and view all the answers

How does Dostoevsky view the relationship between reason and will?

Will is a manifestation of life, encompassing reason and other impulses. Signup and view all the answers

What common belief does Dostoevsky challenge regarding human motives?

Men act only in their own self-interest. Signup and view all the answers

What unique quality did Morisot believe women possessed compared to men?

A more delicate vision Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic distinguishes Post-Impressionism from Impressionism?

Emphasis on structure and form Signup and view all the answers

What major shift did Post-Impressionism represent in the art world?

A focus on subjective reality Signup and view all the answers

How did Paul Cézanne approach his painting technique?

By applying wet brush directly to the canvas Signup and view all the answers

In what way did Vincent van Gogh perceive color in his artworks?

As a form of language of its own Signup and view all the answers

What did Morisot lament about her treatment as an artist?

Being taken seriously by male counterparts Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures the main mission of Post-Impressionist artists?

To express inner feelings through color and line Signup and view all the answers

What geometric forms did Cézanne suggest artists should perceive in nature?

Cube, cylinder, and sphere Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Before 1914 European Beliefs

Europeans largely believed in the Enlightenment values of reason, science, and progress,
This belief was reinforced by advancements in technology and lifestyle improvements.

Shift in Ideas

A new perspective on the physical universe emerged, along with embracing the irrational, new views on human nature, and innovative forms of art and literature.
This led to increased anxiety and confusion, particularly after World War I.

Science's Role

Science was considered a certainty in the orderliness of nature by many Westerners.
Many believed in a complete understanding of the world through scientific laws.
Classical physics, based on Newton’s ideas, shaped the view that the universe was a machine
However, new scientific discoveries challenged this view.

The New Physics

Late nineteenth-century viewpoints about matter were questioned at the end of the century through discoveries about atomic particles.
Atoms were not simply solid bodies, containing subatomic particles.
The discovery of radium's rays coming from within atoms themselves proved this.
New quantum theory proposed that energy in matter was released in discontinuous packets (quanta).
This challenged the Newtonian mechanical view of the world, and Newtonian physics was soon widely challenged.

The Work of Einstein

Einstein's special theory of relativity introduced a new perspective on space, time, and matter as interwoven into a four-dimensional space-time continuum.
The existence of these entities was dependent on human experience.

Early 20th Century Scientific Challenges

Many scientists struggled to grasp Einstein’s theories, though a 1919 solar eclipse verified his prediction about light deflection.
These new ideas led to a "heroic age" in physics.

The Irrational

Philosophers like Nietzsche questioned the dominance of reason, arguing that Western society was decadent and insufficient.
Nietzsche emphasized irrational life forces, challenging Christian morality, and suggesting a potential for a superior individual (the Übermensch).
Henri Bergson challenged the idea that reality could be analyzed, asserting that reality was a life-force.

Sorel's Ideas

Sorel combined ideas from Bergson and Nietzsche, highlighting the potential of non-rational action for revolutionary socialism.
He supported the use of the general strike as a mythic image to inspire revolutionary change.

Freud's Psychology

Sigmund Freud developed theories challenging optimism about the rational nature of the human mind.
Freud investigated the unconscious and the influence of repressed experiences, including the Oedipus complex.
The unconscious plays a critical role in human life, and early childhood experiences greatly shape who we are.
Repression of these experiences influences behavior in the present.

Social Darwinism applied Darwin's ideas of biological evolution to society.
The concept of the "fittest" and "struggle for existence" was adapted to justify social inequalities and nationalistic rivalries.

Racism and Nationalism

Nationalism and racism were bolstered by interpretations of Darwin's theory.
Ideas of racial hierarchies and national superiority emerged and were used to justify violence and political aims.

The Christian Churches and Modernity

Modern ideas and scientific advancements posed serious challenges to established religious institutions.
The scientific theory of evolution was seen as a threat to the biblical account of creation, and religious institutions often resisted it.
A response from the churches is the outright rejection of modern ideas, and they resisted the changing social order.
Another response was compromise and attempting a more modern interpretation of Biblical teachings.

Development of 20th Century Ideas

Modernist views arose in reaction against realism; rejected realism's attempts to accurately depict the world visually, favoring subjective expression. New forms of expression developed (e.g., Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism).
Photography played a key role in prompting artists to reject a literal representation of reality because it could accurately depict what was physically present more easily than painting could.

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Description

Explore the transformation of European beliefs leading up to World War I. This quiz delves into Enlightenment values, emerging ideas on science, and the shift in perspectives on human nature and art. Test your knowledge on how these beliefs influenced society during this pivotal time.