Topic A: Reason And Revolution Define What Reason Meant To E

Topic A Reason And Revolutiondefine What Reason Meant To Enlightenmen

Topic A. Reason and Revolution Define what reason meant to enlightenment thinkers. Reason can mean several different things or be applied to different things even to enlightenment thinkers. For enlightenment thinkers, this meant that they were no longer held to what had been taught to them in the past, they were able to make their thoughts based on observations and understanding of what they read and study about the world around them. Reasoning applied not only to the church and religion but to math and sciences as well.

Getz and Brooke (2012) stated, “Reason," and as the Enlightenment progressed, reason became not only a tool for understanding the world but for changing it as well” (sec. 3.3 para. 6). It is also important to note that reason can be broken into two types: eternal truths and positive truths. Eternal truths are “absolutely necessary,” and positive truths are those that depend on nature (Reason, 2010).

Paper For Above instruction

The Enlightenment era marked a pivotal shift in human thought, chiefly characterized by the redefinition and expansion of the concept of reason. For Enlightenment thinkers, reason was more than a simple tool for logical deduction; it symbolized the capacity for human beings to think independently, question established authorities, and derive knowledge based on empirical evidence rather than inherited dogma. This transformative perspective fostered a new worldview that emphasized observation, scientific inquiry, and rationality as guides to understanding the universe and improving society.

The Enlightenment's understanding of reason encompassed both the pursuit of eternal truths and the acknowledgment of truths derived from nature. Eternal truths were considered necessary and unchangeable, such as moral or mathematical principles, while positive truths depended on natural observation and empirical evidence (Reason, 2010). This dual conception represented a departure from traditional reliance on religious dogma and metaphysical speculation, positioning reason as the primary way to discern truth and organize knowledge.

However, this new valuation of reason posed a significant threat to the established systems of the Church and monarchy. Both institutions were intertwined, often relying on divine authority and tradition to maintain their power and legitimacy. The Enlightenment's emphasis on human rationality and evidence-based understanding challenged the church’s authority to define moral and spiritual truths. Similarly, the monarchy's authority based on divine right was undermined as reasoning empowered individuals to question royal legitimacy and seek justice through rational discourse and revolutionary ideas (Getz & Brooke, 2012).

Enlightenment philosophers held diverse views on who was capable of reason. Immanuel Kant argued that reason was the foundation of true freedom, but he also recognized that societal obstacles, such as laziness or complacency, hindered individuals from realizing their rational potential (Getz & Brooke, 2012). Many Enlightenment thinkers believed in the innate goodness of humanity, asserting that ignorance and evil stemmed from corrupt institutions rather than inherent human nature. For example, some believed that the capacity for reason varied across different races or social classes, often reflecting hierarchical and often racist assumptions. Kant, notably, believed in racial hierarchies, stating that humanity’s greatest perfection was in the white race, with other groups viewed as inferior in talent and capacity (Bouie, 2018). Such views justified racial hierarchies and colonialism, illustrating how Enlightenment ideas were sometimes used to promote social inequalities.

The Enlightenment profoundly influenced revolutionary movements across the world. The French Revolution exemplifies this impact, where Enlightenment ideas fueled demands for liberty, equality, and fraternity. Philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau inspired revolutionaries to challenge absolute monarchy and advocate for constitutional government and individual rights (Getz & Brooke, 2012). The French Revolution was driven by widespread discontent with the social and political injustices perpetuated by Louis XVI’s regime, especially among the bourgeoisie, who sought to establish a society based on equality before the law. The revolutionary slogans of liberty and fraternity echoed Enlightenment ideals that emphasized reason as a basis for justice and social reform.

The revolutionary spirit was further intensified by Enlightenment critiques of inherited privilege and divine right. The National Assembly’s formation, protests against taxes, and the subsequent abolition of aristocratic privileges reflected these Enlightenment principles. The revolutionaries sought to replace old hierarchical structures with rational governance rooted in reason and popular sovereignty. However, the revolution also revealed the limitations and contradictions of applying Enlightenment ideas, especially regarding issues like racial equality and gender rights, which were not fully recognized or practiced. Nevertheless, the influence of Enlightenment thought was unmistakable in shaping modern notions of citizenship, democratic participation, and human rights (Getz & Brooke, 2012).

In conclusion, reason during the Enlightenment signified a paradigm shift from faith and tradition towards empirical observation and rational inquiry. It was a radical tool that challenged longstanding religious and political systems, advocating for a society based on knowledge, equality, and individual liberty. Despite its contradictions and limitations, particularly regarding race and gender, Enlightenment reasoning laid the intellectual groundwork for revolutionary movements that have shaped the modern world. The era’s emphasis on reason remains a cornerstone of contemporary scientific, philosophical, and political thought.

References

• Bouie, J. (2018, June 5). The Enlightenment’s dark side: How the enlightenment created modern race thinking, and why we should confront it. Slate. Retrieved from https://slate.com
• Getz, T. R., & Brooke, J. E. (2012). World history: The human experience from 1500. Pearson.
• Reason. (2010). In the encyclopedia of diderot & d’Alembert collaborative translation project (F. Vo, Trans.). Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu