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Jan 1, 1440
The Printing Press
The printing press was invtented by German Johannes Gutenberg. It was model after the screw press, and worked by using ink to print on either paper or cloth. The printing press allowed mass production of literature and mass communication. This is important in the Age of Reason because it allowed the Ninety-Five Theses and the first Encylopeida to be mass produced. Without the printing press, reliigion and education would not have been put in the hands of the middle class. -
Jan 1, 1517
Ninety-Five Theses
The Ninety-Five Theses was written by Martin Luther and intended for Albert of Mainz. The Ninety-Five Theses pointed out the problems within the Catholic Church. These problems included indulgences, corrupt officials, and Bibles only in Latin. The most important of these issues was the sale of indulgences. This led to the Protestant Movement which took power from the church and gave it to the people. This is important to the Enlightenment as it emphasizes the secular world and common knowledge. -
Salons
Salons were mainly used during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were organized so that people could gather to discuss or dispute knowledge and philosphy. They are important to the Age of Reason because since they were done in coffee houses/public places, they were in the public sphere of society where the common man could become involved. Also, women were allowed to join discussion. This allowed the middle class to think, learn, and speak of reform. -
Rise of Deism
Deism is the spin off from Christianity where God sets the universe in motion but leaves it to run by itself. This is a religion trying to understand the effects of humans' choices and does so by basing their religion on reason instead of revelation. Deism is important to the Age of Reason because it promotes the secular world. power of people to make decisions and deal with the outcome, and further showcases reason and its impact on the world. -
John Locke
John Locke lived from August 29, 1632 until October 28, 1704. HE was an English philosopher who came up with the Social Contract Theory. According to this theory one is able to challenge the authority of the government over the individual. Since the government is created by the people it is the peoples' job to change it once it becomes corrupt. This is important to the Engligtenment because it encouraged the many revoluations to come in this time period (French, American, Mexican, etc). -
Rise of Humanism
Humanism is a philosophy that emphasizes the value of human beings and their earthly affairs. While the term was coined by Petrarch years prior, it rose to influence during the Enlightenment when it's philosophy was spun to describe the importance of human beings and their choices to gain power through knowledge. This is important to the Enlightenment because it gave more power to the secular world and promoted the importance of knowledge to one's power. -
Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton was born December 15, 1642 and died March 20, 1727. He was an ENglish physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher and more. Newton is important to the Scientific Revolution during the Age of Reason. Two of his most important contributions were the Three Laws of Motion and proving universal gravitation which then proved helicentrism: wthe planets rotate around the sun not earth. It is important because it advances science in the Enlightenment and further discredits the church. -
Encyclopedia
The first encyclopedia was created by denis Diderot with the help of Andre LeBreton. It published knowledge of the arts, math, philosophies, and more. It is vital to the Enlightenment because it brought together information previously dispersed into one place and discussed ideas thought radical/controversial for the time. It is also important because it gives knowledge to the common man. -
Discourse on Inequality
Rousseau who lived from June 1712 until July 1778 wrote this book. He was a philosopher, writer, and composer. He used this book to discuss the two types of ineqaulity: 1) natural/physical and 2) ethical/political. This is important to the Age of Reason because it criticized society and the inequality among men because of wealth and if it is natural to do so. Specifically, it also criticized the Atlantic Slave Trade and the morality of being an inequal society. -
Candide
This book was written by Voltaire as a criticism of philosophy and hardship. The philosophy Voltaire attacked was unbending optimism in awful situations. This is seen through the adventures of Candide who realizes his disillusionment of society throughout his trying experiences. This is important to the Enlightenment because it challenges the optimism promoted by the church and some philosophers in contrast to seeing reason and accepting reality as it is. -
Wealth of Nations
Wealth of Nations was written by Adam Smith who lived from June 5, 1723 until July 17, 1790. He was a Scottish moral philosopher and physicrat. This book promoted Smith's belief that business should be run by how much they sell, and that the government shouldn't intervene with business. This is important to the Age of Reason because it was the beginnings of the free market system, and this book was the Bible for industrial capitalists during the Industrial Revolution and 200 years to come. -
Voltaire
Voltaire lived from November 21, 1694 until May 30, 1778. He advocated civil liberties, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, free trade, and the separation of church and state. He is vital to the Enlightenment because he use plays, poems, novels, etc. that the common man could understand to critize religious doctrine, intolerence, and institution. This spurred revolutions from the lower classes worldwide who called for social reform.
