Essay on The Enlightenment Movement - 1041 Words

The 18th-century Enlightenment was an era that symbolized the desire to change social order of Europe citizens. The Church was thought to have been the source of truth and condemned any person that went against it, but people were beginning to think separately and independently from the Church. Thinkers of the Enlightenment provided new ideas based on reason, science, and valued humanity. In addition, writers of the Enlightenment intended to alter the relationship of people and government. Although many welcomed the Enlightenment, five movements reacted against the ideas of the era. Conservatism was a reaction against the Enlightenment because it reflected ideas based on tradition and hierarchy. The ideas of Liberalism were built on the†¦show more content†¦He asserted that, â€Å"the bill of rights was for the men who wrote and the people of England should have no parts in it† (Burke, Paras. 25-29). The ideals of Liberalism were based on the belief that there should be equal opportunities for everyone afforded by set laws (as long as they remained individual). Liberalists stressed the importance of maintaining a system of government that served as an entity to create and enforce laws. Because of the aforementioned, it is safe to say that the parties of this movement desired a group of law makers who represented dominant groups. Economic Liberalism was included in the realm of the movement and to elaborate on the ideas, Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations, in 1776. In this publication Smith promoted free trade, which was the reverse of mercantilism. Liberalism catered to those in the middle class however, ideas the Enlightenment were meant to encompass everyone and increase prosperity. As the lower class became more privy to information, it provided more opportunities to learn and increase knowledge and wealth. Nationalism represents a political creed in which the people offer their supreme allegiance to a nation-state. It underlies the cohesion of modern societies and legitimizes a nations assertions of authority over the lives of its inhabitants (encyclopedia.com). This definition clarifies how the nationalist ideologies were a reactionShow MoreRelatedEnlightenment And The Enlightenment Movement1317 Words   |  6 Pagesformulated by Rousseau during the Enlightenment movement. The Enlightenment movement in France was a product of the Scientific Revolution, a period in which there were new developments in politics, religion, and science which led to new governmental ideas, new religions, and new scientific advances. As France felt the full force of the Enlightenment movement, Frenchmen worked towards reforming the structures that initially bound and supported France before the Enlightenment period. These reforms createdRead MoreEnlightenment And The Enlightenment Movement In The 18th Cen tury975 Words   |  4 PagesEnlightenment is a concept that promoted individual rational logic and thinking as more valuable than traditional. The enlightenment thinkers rejected the old assumption about everything and committed to things that could be demonstrated through scientific experimentation. They are loosely organized intellectual movement, egalitarian, liberal, rationalist, secular, and impartial in both values and outlook. In the longer term standpoint, the enlightenment can be taken to the last phase of the cumulativeRead MoreThe Feminist Movement Of The 18th Century Enlightenment Movement1417 Words   |  6 Pagesof the community-based society saw their values being displaced and those who fought for the self-centric changes they felt were necessary and right clashed over differing values. A prime example of this would be the feminist movement of the 18th Century Enlightenment movement; women were fighting to be perceived as equals, and they often conveyed ideas o n their society and their positions in it though literature. In Mary Robinson’s satirically ironic The Natural Daughter, she does just that by narratingRead MoreWomen s Influence On The Enlightenment Movement Essay1501 Words   |  7 Pagesartist’s workshop crew, there is little documentation or representation of women as the artists or artisans in the writings and illustrations from The Encyclopà ©die, which represents one of France’s greatest contributions and influences on The Enlightenment movement. Though a majority of the illustrative plates of the Encyclopà ©die do not include any people, as the plates are mostly diagrams about anatomy, scientific concepts, machines, instruments and tools, those that do have people at work portray themRead MoreThe Intellectual Movement of Enlightment828 Words   |  3 PagesThe intellectual movement of Enlightenment was a very intricate movement that was centralized on the concepts of progression, reasoning, and the s cientific method. The Enlightenment thinkers believed they could implement some of these ideas to create a better influence towards societies and people. These ideas changed how humanity viewed the government, politics, and society. Although each philosopher had their own individual concept, they all centered on the themes of equality and freedom. ThomasRead MoreThe Age Of Enlightenment By Francois Marie Arouet1082 Words   |  5 PagesThe Age of Enlightenment was a time of philosophical movements and new ways of thinking that prevailed in Europe and spread all over the world in the 18th century. This era saw the rise of many writers and philosophers that are still recognized and praised today. Goals like tolerance, reason, progress, and the removal of the injustices of church and state were prominent in works by Enlightenment thinkers. Although they shared similar goals, methods to accomplish them were varied. Writers broughtRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Enlightenment1471 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophies of Enlightenment, will impact the future. Historical figures such as Robespierre heading the Great Assembly will drive change in culture through the revolution, in hopes of achieving enlightened societies. The 18th century marks the beginning of modern history. The French revolution playing a role in furthering Enlightenment, will led to a chain of events that will change the course of the future and modernize the world through the intellectual and revolutionary movements. The forceRead MoreEssay On The Enlightenment1203 Words   |  5 PagesThe Enlightenment The Enlightenment was a time of great reform in ideas and knowledge. It was such an important part of history, that it took many people and many years to fully bring it into play. This time in life was all about change, such as the education of women, the separation of science and church, and the freedom to learn without government censorship. Someone people were on board with the movement, but others fought against the great ideals of Enlightenment. Although, it is sure that withoutRead MoreThe Great Awakening And Enlightenment991 Words   |  4 Pages The ages of Great Awakening and Enlightenment were two of the earliest movements in the early colonies. These movements proved that people can be influenced in many different ways in relation to politics and religion. The Great Awakening called for the revival of the evangelical movement, while the age of Enlightenment took the focus off of the traditional church and dared colonists to apply individualistic views of religion, thus birthing many new religious denominations that challenged traditionalRead MoreAn Analysis of Candide Story by Voltaire1347 Words   |  6 PagesOptimism† was written in the enlightenment era. Voltaire story is published in The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Voltaire’s character, Pangolss, is a philosopher who teaches about God morals. Pangolss is also a mentor to Candide, who is the main character of the novel. Candide has a good heart but is also feel s very hopeless in life. Pangloss takes Candide under his wing and teaches hi m that â€Å"best of all possible worlds.† The enlightenment movement is seen closely in Voltaire writing