The Neoclassical Period and the Enlightenment

Questions and Answers

What is The Age of Reason also known as?

The Age of Science

The Age of Enlightenment (correct)

The Age of Classicism

The Age of Rationalism

What were the advances during the Enlightenment?

Science, Philosophy, Government, and the Arts.

Who said, 'The age we live in is a busy age, in which knowledge is rapidly advancing towards perfection'?

Jeremy Bentham

What was the goal of the Encyclopedie?

To collect human knowledge in one place. Signup and view all the answers

Which are considered major themes of the Neoclassical Period?

Empiricism Signup and view all the answers

What is Neoclassicism?

An art movement of the 18th century that drew on Greek and Roman art for models of harmony, idealized realism, and reason. Signup and view all the answers

What does Skepticism maintain?

Human knowledge is limited and uncertain. Signup and view all the answers

What is Rationalism?

A point of view that emphasizes the role of reason over the senses in gaining knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is Empiricism?

A philosophical doctrine that says all knowledge is derived from our senses. Signup and view all the answers

What is Logic?

Thinking in a linear, step-by-step manner about ideas or problems. Signup and view all the answers

What did philosophers of the Enlightenment Period believe?

They turned away from the influence of devout faith, believing it clouded human judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What is Deism?

A belief in a higher power as the original creator of the world, without interference in human history. Signup and view all the answers

Who were key philosophers of the Enlightenment?

Rene DesCartes, Immanuel Kant, Bishop Berkeley, and David Hume. Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered an important Enlightenment scientist?

Sir Isaac Newton Signup and view all the answers

What is epistemology?

The study of thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'Cogito ergo sum'?

'I think, therefore I am.' Signup and view all the answers

Who is Voltaire?

Francois Marie Arouet, a philosopher who emphasized science and reason. Signup and view all the answers

What does Revolution refer to in this context?

A major theme based on principles of reason and individualism that led to political and social changes. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Locke?

A British philosopher known for his ideas on government and democracy. Signup and view all the answers

What worldview dominated Enlightenment thinking regarding order?

The belief in a comprehensible world under the direction of an orderly Christian God. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Gotfried Wilhelm Leibniz?

A prominent German mathematician who co-invented calculus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Age of Reason

Known as the Age of Enlightenment, the period spans from the late 17th century through the 18th century.

Advances during the Enlightenment

Significant progress in science, philosophy, government, and the arts.
Emergence of optimism about rationalism’s benefits for humanity.
Increased willingness to question traditional authority across various aspects of life.
Key scientific discoveries made in astronomy, biology, human anatomy, and chemistry.

Key Figures

Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher, noted the rapid advancement of knowledge during the age.

Encyclopedie Goals

Aimed to collect and organize all human knowledge in a single comprehensive work.

Major Themes of the Neoclassical Period

Primary themes include skepticism, rationalism, empiricism, logic, progress, revolution, order, clarity, deism, and classicism.

Neoclassicism

An 18th-century artistic movement inspired by Greek and Roman models, emphasizing harmony, balance, and idealized realism while rejecting Baroque excess.

Skepticism

Originating from Greek philosophy, skepticism asserts that human knowledge is limited and uncertain, endorsing the notion that probable morality is sufficient for ethical action.

Rationalism

Emphasizes the significance of reason over sensory experience in the acquisition of knowledge.

Empiricism

Proposes that all knowledge stems from sensory experiences, with Francis Bacon developing the scientific method based on observation and experimentation.

Logic

Involves structured, step-by-step thinking about ideas and problems.

Enlightenment Philosophers

Philosophers distanced themselves from religious faith to avoid emotional bias, advocating for logical proofs as the basis for truth.

Deism

Emerged alongside scientific reasoning, viewing God as the initial creator but not as a direct influencer in human affairs, rooted in rationalism and empiricism.

Prominent Enlightenment Philosophers

René Descartes (father of modern philosophy), Immanuel Kant (author of "Critique of Pure Reason"), Bishop Berkeley, and David Hume employed rational skepticism in their reasoning.

Enlightenment Scientist

Sir Isaac Newton introduced modern science, particularly in his work "The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" detailing the Laws of Motion.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with the study of knowledge and thought processes.

Cogito Ergo Sum

René Descartes' famous axiom meaning "I think, therefore I am," indicating his rejection of prior knowledge tainted by religious beliefs.

Voltaire

François Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, championed science and reason as key to social progress and wrote "Essay on Custom" to document civilization's evolution devoid of nationalistic and religious biases.

Revolution

Enlightenment principles of reason, individualism, and progress led to significant political and social changes, notably in the U.S. and France, promoting the idea that authority derives from the consent of the governed rather than divine right.

John Locke

Influential British philosopher whose "Second Treatise of Government" established foundational ideas for democracy and significantly influenced American thought and governance.

Order

Enlightenment thinking was characterized by the belief in an orderly world governed by a rational Christian God, although some Enlightenment figures proposed a break from Christianity in France post-Revolution.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

A significant German mathematician, co-inventor of calculus with Newton, known for his contributions to philosophical logic and rationalist epistemology.

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Explore key concepts from the Neoclassical Period and the Enlightenment through these flashcards. This quiz covers important terms and definitions that shaped Western thought in the Age of Reason, highlighting advancements in science, philosophy, and government. Test your knowledge of this transformative era in history!