How Did Hobbes Change During The Enlightenment

Ever since the Middle Ages, most people around the globe created a false belief that the world we live in was stationary. They also believed that the earth was the center of the solar system. It wasn't until the 1500's that this theory was challenged. The time of scientific discovery was known as the scientific revolution. During this time, there were many improvements in science and experimentation. Old theories were being rejected by new laws that proved them wrong. As science improved, so did the world of philosophy. With science and philosophy discoveries, the arts began growing better then ever before. This period of time was known as the Enlightenment era. As explorers began discovering new things in unfamiliar places, some began thinking
that maybe there was more to the earth than what they thought to be true. By studying the movement of the planets, sun and moon, an astronomer known by the name of Nicolaus Copernicus came up with the heliocentric theory which stated that the earth in which we live in was not the center of our solar system. This theory, though at first questioned, was built on by other scientist. Eventually this theory was proven correct by an astronomer named Johannes Kepler. Thanks to the printing press, these ideas were spread across Europe, allowing others to engage in the improvement of science. While new ideas were being explored, the scientific method was put together. The scientific method is a process that allows people to conduct an experiment easily. It uses a unique procedure that begins with asking a question. Through that question, the scientist develops an assumption, or hypothesis. Once the hypothesis is developed, it is tested with an experiment. Using the results from the experiment, the scientist may analyze the new found data and draw a conclusion. Because the scientific method required scientist to observe and analyze their experiment, scientist began developing tools that would aid in new discoveries. In the mid-1600s, Isaac Newton began studying motion when he came up with the law of universal gravitation. This law states that each objects in the universe attracts every other object in the universe and the force of attractions varies with size and distance. Newton's law had others thinking. Philosophy was improved greatly during the enlightenment.
A philosopher known as Thomas Hobbes proposed new ideas for the time. Hobbes suggested that, by nature, all men were selfish and wicked. He detested the government, thus creating the social contract, which gave uniform to society and the government. Though Hobbes might have made a point, not everybody agreed. For instance, the philosopher, John Locke had a different understanding of human behavior. He saw humans as responsible beings who could grow wiser from their mistakes. Locke went against Hobbes idea of absolute monarchy and longed for more freedom of the people. Locke's beliefs he shared is the foundation of the types of governments in the world today. Philosophers of the time believed in five key beliefs: reason, nature, happiness, progress, and liberty. Some male philosophers believed females didn't deserve the same rights that men do. This enraged women. Ladies such as Mary Astell and Mary Wollstonecraft expressed their thoughts by writing books that disagreed with the men's beliefs. But the enlightenment didn't only effect the women. It had long lasting effects on the world today. One of those effects was the belief in progress. The great success of the scientific revolution gave people hope that logics can help solve social problems. Another outcome was a more non-religious outlook. While science continued to improve, it also created confusion within the church. Many began questioning their beliefs. Individualism was the last effect of the revolution. While some started relying on science rather than faith, they became independent
individuals. The improvement of science and philosophy had many impacts on society and the arts. Salons was a large gathering of the greatest scientist, philosophers, artist, writers, and more educational scholars who met to discuss only the best ideas. The production of encyclopedias allowed others to engage in new discoveries and ideas. Many thoughts were shared through newspaper articles, pamphlets, and songs as well. All of these were key aspects that aided the spread of the enlightenment. The arts began to shift during the Age of Enlightenment. Artist and architects came up with more elaborate designs which came to be known as the neoclassical. Music and literature changed a lot during the era. A new type of music evolved that had the people craving more. This genre of music was known as classical. Musicians, such as Mozart and Beethoven, were noticed by many for the greatness of their work. Just as artist improved their art, writers improved their writing by inventing novels. The novel, Pamela, written by Samuel Richardson, tells a story of a girl and her life as a servant and is often identified as the first true novel. The great changes of the enlightenment influenced some great monarchs of the time. One being Fredrick II of Prussia. Fredrick was loyal and dedicated. He allowed freedom of religion and improve the education system. He reduced censorship and abolished the use of torture. Over all Fredrick II was an honorable leader. Fredrick was not the only monarch to be influenced by the enlightenment. Austria's ruler, Joseph II, allowed freedom of the press along with freedom of worship. Joseph did what Fredrick couldn't do. Joseph denied serfdom within his country. Lastly, Catherine the Great transformed Russia in ways the others didn't. Catherine expanded Russia's area westward toward Poland and won access of the Baltic Sea and Black Sea. She was an absolute ruler who allowed serfdom in Russia.