the enlightenment introduction. in groups of four, think back on last semester and work out a...
TRANSCRIPT
The Enlightenment
Introduction
In groups of four, think back on last semester and work out a definition of the term baroque
What does the term Neoclassical evoke for you?
Other terms
Enlightenment
The Age of Reason
Enciclopedists / Philosophes
Diderot
Reason -- a perfect society built on common sense and tolerance
Truth dispersing the shadows of ignorance
Montesquieu
Charles Louis de Secondat
1689-1755
Noble background
Educated in science and history
Became a lawyer
Considered, along with John Locke, as the ideological co-founder of the American Constitution
Works
Masterpiece: The Spirit of the Laws (1748), considers:
Monarchy
Despotism
Republic
Felt Republic was best
Montesquieu’s Thought
"Montesquieu advocated constitutionalism, the preservation of civil liberties, the abolition of slavery, gradualism, moderation, peace, internationalism, social and economic justice with due respect to national and local tradition. He believed in justice and the rule of law; detested all forms of extremism and fanaticism; put his faith in the balance of power and the division of authority as a weapon against despotic rule by individuals or groups or majorities; and approved of social equality, but not the point which it threatened individual liberty; and out of liberty, but not to the point where it threatened to disrupt orderly government."Sir Isaiah BerlinAgainst the Current
But he did not completely believe in equality:
Believed in slavery
Women were inferior
Persian Letters (1721)
First work to gain him fame
Epistolary form
correspondence between Usbek (Persian aristocrat) traveling in France
and his friends, his wives, or eunuchs
When reading, think about:
What Montesquieu criticizes and why?
Why does he use the epistolary form?
Why does he use Persian travelers in Europe?
How are the Persians characterized?