Some Notes

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was the Age of Reason. The Age of Reason was a time when scientists promoted science, skepticism, and intellectual interchange, which changed the reason in which people think of today. During the Enlightenment, scientists and other intellectual people have made many important discoveries that make our world and society what it is today.

SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION:
There were many new scientific discoveries during the Enlightenment. There were many discoveries, especially astronomic, that greatly revolutionized the knowledge we know of today. The scientists during that time advanced in science using the scientific method. Some discoveries include the way our solar system revolves, and the universal law of gravitation. All of these theories and observations were improved over the years with more technology and the scientific method.

PHILOSPHES:

Montesquieu- His goal was to find the natural laws that govern the social and political relationships of human beings. By using the scientific method, he could figure out the separation of powers within the government and identify the three different types of governments.

Diderot- His goal was to be a freelance writer so he could read in many subjects and languages. Through his life, he has made many contributions, including the Encyclopedia. For the rest of his life, he remained dedicated to new ideas.

LAISSEZ FAIRE ECONOMICS:
There were some conditions that prompted the study of the field of economics. The Physiocrats wanted to identify the natural laws that governed human society. They believed that if people were to pursue their own interests, society would ultimately benefit, which would result in the state leaving the economy alone. This became known by the name “Laissez-faire”, which means “to let do.”

Adam Smith was the Father of Economics. Smith believed that the state should not interfere in economic matters. He gave government three basic roles: the army, the police, and public works.

SOCIETY:
RELIGION- Many people in the 18th century were still Christians. Many protestant churches lacked religious enthusiasm. John Wesley found the most famous new religious movement, which was Methodism. Methodism gave the lower class and middle class a sense of purpose and community. It proved that the need for spiritual experience had not been eliminated by the 18th century search for a reason.

EFFECT ON TODAY:
The scientific revolution had the most profound effect on present day thought. If it was not for the millions of discoveries made during the scientific revolution, the science we know today may not be what would be. Without the different discoveries, such as gravity and the way our solar system revolves, the advanced technology and science we have today may not have existed, or be pushed back many years.