📚American Literature – Before 1800 Unit 6 – The Enlightenment: Rise of Reason

Key Thinkers and Philosophers

• John Locke developed ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and the importance of reason in governance (Two Treatises of Government)
• Voltaire championed religious tolerance, freedom of expression, and criticized the Catholic Church for corruption and dogmatism (Candide)
  • Used satire and wit to expose societal ills and advocate for reform
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued for the inherent goodness of human nature, the corrupting influence of society, and the need for a more egalitarian social order (The Social Contract)
• David Hume emphasized empiricism, skepticism, and the limits of human understanding (A Treatise of Human Nature)
  • Challenged traditional notions of causality, induction, and the self
• Immanuel Kant synthesized rationalism and empiricism, proposing that the mind actively shapes our experience of the world (Critique of Pure Reason)
• Baron de Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny (The Spirit of the Laws)
• Denis Diderot edited and contributed to the Encyclopédie, which sought to systematize and disseminate knowledge across various fields

Core Enlightenment Ideas

• Emphasis on reason as the primary source of knowledge and authority, challenging traditional religious and political dogma
• Belief in the inherent dignity and rights of the individual, leading to calls for greater personal and political freedom
  • Promoted ideas of liberty, equality, and self-determination
• Commitment to progress through education, scientific inquiry, and social reform
• Secularization of thought, separating the realms of religion and politics
• Advocacy for religious tolerance and the freedom of conscience
• Critique of absolute monarchy and support for more representative forms of government (constitutional monarchies, republics)
• Belief in the power of human reason to understand and improve the natural world and society

Impact on Literature and Arts

• Rise of the novel as a genre, exploring themes of individualism, social critique, and the human condition (Robinson Crusoe, Pamela)
• Emergence of neoclassicism in art and architecture, emphasizing order, symmetry, and classical ideals (Monticello, Pantheon)
  • Reflected Enlightenment values of rationality, balance, and harmony
• Development of the essay as a form of public discourse and intellectual exchange (The Spectator, The Tatler)
• Popularization of satire as a means of social and political commentary (A Modest Proposal, Gulliver's Travels)
• Increased emphasis on realism and the accurate depiction of everyday life in painting and literature
• Growth of public spaces for cultural exchange and debate, such as coffeehouses, salons, and libraries
• Influence of Enlightenment ideas on the content and themes of artistic works, promoting reason, progress, and social reform

Social and Political Consequences

• Challenges to the divine right of kings and the legitimacy of absolute monarchy
• Emergence of new political ideologies, such as liberalism and republicanism
  • Emphasized individual rights, limited government, and the rule of law
• Increased demands for religious tolerance and the separation of church and state
• Rise of the public sphere and the importance of public opinion in shaping political discourse
• Reforms in education, emphasizing practical knowledge and critical thinking skills
• Gradual abolition of slavery and the slave trade in some European countries and their colonies
• Inspiration for revolutionary movements, such as the American and French Revolutions
  • Provided intellectual justification for overthrowing oppressive regimes and establishing new forms of government

Scientific Advancements

• Development of the scientific method, emphasizing observation, experimentation, and empirical evidence
• Breakthroughs in mathematics, including calculus (Newton, Leibniz) and probability theory (Bernoulli, Laplace)
• Advancements in physics, such as Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation
• Progress in astronomy, including the heliocentric model of the solar system (Copernicus) and the discovery of new planets (Uranus by Herschel)
• Improvements in medical knowledge and practice, such as the development of the smallpox vaccine (Jenner) and the understanding of blood circulation (Harvey)
• Exploration and cataloging of the natural world through botany, zoology, and geology (Linnaeus, Buffon)
• Invention of new technologies, such as the steam engine (Watt) and the lightning rod (Franklin)
• Establishment of scientific societies and academies to promote research and the exchange of ideas (Royal Society, French Academy of Sciences)

Critiques and Controversies

• Accusations of promoting atheism and undermining religious faith
• Concerns about the potential for reason to be misused or lead to moral relativism
• Debates over the limits of human understanding and the role of emotion and intuition in decision-making
• Criticisms of Enlightenment thinkers for their Eurocentrism and failure to adequately address issues of race, gender, and colonialism
  • Some philosophers used Enlightenment ideas to justify slavery and colonial exploitation
• Disagreements among Enlightenment thinkers on key issues, such as the nature of human nature (Hobbes vs. Rousseau) and the best form of government (Locke vs. Montesquieu)
• Resistance from traditional religious and political authorities who saw Enlightenment ideas as a threat to their power and influence
• Controversies surrounding the French Revolution and its descent into violence and tyranny, leading some to question the efficacy of Enlightenment principles in practice

American Enlightenment

• Influence of European Enlightenment ideas on the American colonies, particularly through the writings of Locke, Montesquieu, and Paine
• Emphasis on religious tolerance and the separation of church and state, as exemplified in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Jefferson)
• Incorporation of Enlightenment principles into the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787)
  • Ideas of natural rights, popular sovereignty, and limited government
• Contributions of American thinkers, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, to Enlightenment discourse
• Impact of Enlightenment ideas on the development of American political institutions and culture
  • Promotion of education, scientific inquiry, and public debate
• Tension between Enlightenment ideals and the reality of slavery and the treatment of Native Americans in the early United States
• Emergence of a distinctly American strain of Enlightenment thought, emphasizing practicality, self-reliance, and democratic values

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Enduring influence of Enlightenment ideas on modern political and social institutions, such as representative democracy, human rights, and the rule of law
• Continued relevance of Enlightenment thinkers in contemporary philosophical and political debates
  • Discussions of social contract theory, individual liberty, and the limits of government power
• Impact of the Enlightenment on the development of modern science, technology, and medicine
• Critique of Enlightenment assumptions and values from various perspectives, including romanticism, postmodernism, and post-colonialism
• Ongoing debates about the role of reason and emotion in public discourse and decision-making
• Relevance of Enlightenment ideas to current issues, such as climate change, social justice, and the challenges posed by new technologies (artificial intelligence, genetic engineering)
• Importance of understanding the historical context and limitations of Enlightenment thought while appreciating its significant contributions to human knowledge and progress