Philosophy of the Enlightenment

A society with advanced forms of government, culture, industry, and shared norms. Examples include the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Ancient Chinese civilizations.

A series of rulers from the same family who govern a country. The Seljuk dynasty in Syria is an example, ruling from 1094 onwards.

The development of a religious system in a society, often linked to the rise of powerful rulers who are seen as divine.

Ancient river valleys where early civilizations arose. Examples include the Nile River in Egypt, the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia, the Indus River in India, and the Huang Ho and Yangtze Rivers in China.

A system where tasks are divided among different individuals or groups, leading to specialized skills and increased productivity.

The ability to control and manage water resources, often through irrigation systems, which significantly impacted agriculture and the development of early civilizations.

A significant increase in social differences and unequal distribution of resources and power within a society.

The period when people transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to permanently settled communities based on agriculture and the use of animal-drawn plows.

A period in European history from the 5th to the 15th centuries, marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of feudalism.

A period of intellectual and cultural rebirth in Europe, following the Middle Ages, characterized by a renewed interest in classical learning and art.

An intellectual and cultural movement that emphasized reason, logic, and empirical evidence, challenging traditional authority and promoting individual liberty. It emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries.

An academic movement that prioritized the study of ancient Greek and Roman texts, promoting a revival of classical ideas and values.

A series of scientific discoveries and advancements, primarily in astronomy, physics, and mathematics, that challenged traditional views of the universe and promoted scientific inquiry.

A political philosophy that emphasized the rights of individuals and the separation of powers, advocating for limited government and individual liberty.

The central doctrines of the Enlightenment philosophers in France, emphasizing individual liberty, religious tolerance, and a rejection of absolute monarchy and religious dogma.

The last decade of the 18th century, often marked by the French Revolution, is commonly considered the end of The Enlightenment.

The process by which societies shift from traditional beliefs and practices to a more rational and scientific worldview.

A set of values that emphasize hard work, frugality, and making money for its own sake.

A religious doctrine that emphasizes predestination, meaning that God has already determined who will be saved.

The belief that individuals are called by God to work hard and be successful in their chosen field.

The belief that individuals should work hard and save money to demonstrate their faith and secure their salvation.

The economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, free markets, and the pursuit of profit.

The idea that wealth and success are indicators of God's favor, while poverty is seen as a sign of God's rejection.

The idea that individuals should not share their wealth with others, as it might hinder their chances of salvation.

The idea that individuals make decisions based on self-interest and rationality, often neglecting the needs of others.

A sociological approach that focuses on understanding the meanings and interpretations people give to their social actions.

A debate amongst sociologists about the role of historical evidence and scientific methods in understanding society.

Social phenomena can be explained by general laws, like those found in natural sciences.

Social phenomena are influenced by unique events and actions, making them difficult to generalize.

A theoretical perspective that believes social phenomena can be objectively observed and analyzed, similar to natural sciences.

A perspective that criticizes positivist assumptions and argues for the importance of interpretation and understanding in social research.

The ability to understand the meaning of social actions from the perspective of the actors involved.

Data that can be quantified, measured, and statistically analyzed, such as survey results or numerical data. It often focuses on objective and measurable aspects of a phenomenon.

Data that focuses on subjective experiences, meanings, and interpretations. It often involves qualitative methods like interviews, observations, and case studies to understand people's perspectives and interpretations.

A way of understanding human actions by attempting to see the world through the eyes of the actors involved.

An approach that believes history can be studied like natural sciences, with the aim of discovering laws and patterns.

An approach that focuses on understanding the unique and specific aspects of historical events, rejecting generalizations.

A type of analysis that focuses on generalizing about social phenomena, looking for common patterns.

A type of analysis that focuses on the unique details and events related to a specific phenomenon.

The belief that society shapes the individual, and social factors determine individual actions.

The idea that concepts are mental constructs that help us understand reality but never fully capture the complexity of the empirical world.

Tools or techniques used to help us understand reality, recognizing that they are not perfect representations.