HIST-209 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Age Of Enlightenment, Scholasticism, Critical Thinking
22 Mar 2019
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The enlightenment: age of reason: reason solves the mysteries of nature. Traditionally started from the late 17th century and ended in the late 18th century. Intellectuals/writers critically re-examine foundations of which european society was built: assumptions of european society with those in other places, superiority of european society in "comparison". Idolize aspects of native society in the americas. Emphasize virtues the europeans saw in these societies: honesty, loyalty, simplicity. European writers saw these attributes lacking in the court/their own cultures. Court life was "artificial" with backroom dealings/dangerous affairs. Use native societies as a foil to re-examine european society critically. Aspects of the enlightenment: rationalism, descartes: famous french philosopher. Descartes insisted one must examine the basic assumptions before proceeding. The senses can deceive: emphasizes scepticism: critical thinking. Towards basic assumptions, values, political authority and religion. Had influence on the scientific revolution: philosophes: of france looking at the role of the catholic church, its dogma, miracles/divine intervention being superstition.
