Enlightenment

Definition

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It laid the groundwork for modern political thought, influencing ideas about governance, human rights, and the role of the state in society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment is often referred to as the Age of Reason, reflecting its focus on rational thought and scientific inquiry as opposed to superstition or tradition.
2. Key figures of the Enlightenment, such as Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, greatly influenced social contract theory by arguing that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed.
3. The ideas generated during the Enlightenment laid the intellectual groundwork for significant political revolutions, including the American and French Revolutions.
4. Enlightenment thinkers advocated for individual rights and freedoms, emphasizing concepts such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, which are foundational to modern democratic societies.
5. The movement also questioned established religious institutions and dogmas, promoting secularism and encouraging a separation between church and state.

Review Questions

• How did Enlightenment thinkers influence social contract theory and the concept of government legitimacy?
  • Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau reshaped social contract theory by asserting that governments must be based on the consent of the governed. They argued that individuals have natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property, which governments are obligated to protect. This shift towards a more democratic understanding of governance emphasized that authority should derive from reasoned agreements among free individuals rather than divine right or hereditary rule.
• Discuss the impact of Enlightenment ideas on modern democratic principles and their relevance in contemporary politics.
  • The Enlightenment profoundly influenced modern democratic principles by promoting ideas such as individual rights, equality before the law, and the separation of powers. These concepts are reflected in contemporary political systems around the world. The emphasis on rational debate and empirical evidence has also shaped current political discourse, while ongoing discussions about civil liberties and human rights can trace their roots back to Enlightenment thought.
• Evaluate the critiques of Enlightenment thought in light of its historical outcomes, particularly concerning colonialism and inequality.
  • While Enlightenment ideals promoted liberty and equality, they also faced critiques regarding their application in practice. The period saw the justification of colonialism under the guise of a 'civilizing mission,' leading to significant injustices against colonized peoples. Additionally, despite advocating for universal rights, many Enlightenment thinkers excluded women and non-European cultures from their vision. This contradiction highlights the complexities of Enlightenment thought and calls for a critical examination of its legacy in contemporary discussions about justice and equality.

Related terms

Rationalism:

A philosophy that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge and justification, often associated with Enlightenment thinkers like Descartes.

Empiricism:

The theory that knowledge comes from sensory experience, which was a key aspect of Enlightenment thought, particularly in the works of philosophers like Locke.

Humanism:

A cultural and intellectual movement that focused on human values and the study of classical texts, which contributed to the philosophical foundations of the Enlightenment.