The Age of Enlightenment - Term Paper Example

The Enlightenment The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement of the 1700’s. Its beginnings were on the European continent but the concepts spread throughout many other parts of the world, most famously inspiring the Founding Fathers of the U.S. in their construction of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. This philosophical core of enlightened thought promotes reason and rationality as a way of establishing a social arrangement of knowledge and ethics as well as art and culture. This era was paralleled with the emergence of classical and baroque music and neo-classical arts. The Enlightenment followed the Renaissance and the Reformation periods of Europe and is included in what has been termed the Age of Reason. Those who championed the Enlightenment such as Voltaire, John Locke, David Hume and Thomas Paine, among many others, dismissed superstition, irrational thought and oppression by the ruling authorities which put them at odds with the monarchies of the time and the Catholic Church. Enlightenment “thinkers” were primarily Deists who questioned the authority of church institutions and whether their influence was a positive for society. Though not advocating the devolvement of religion, they embraced scientific analysis and rational conclusions based on evidence rather than the suppression of knowledge long supported by the Church throughout the dark ages. Enlightenment philosophers sought to deliver people from the constraints of religion and set the standard for secular morals and politics. To them, Christianity celebrated human suffering and poverty while preaching undeserved forgiveness. The Church hierarchy was institutionally corrupt, their actions to oppress the common people appalling and lust for power insatiable. Enlightenment thinkers thought themselves courageous for speaking out against Christianity which they thought was born from the decadent Roman Empire and responsible for ushering in the deeply superstitious and depraved dark ages. Expectedly, theologians of that time reacted negatively to the enlightenment philosophers whose influence was growing among both intellectuals and the common man. (Eliot, Stern, 1979). Bishop Joseph Butler (1692-1752) among other church officials staunchly defended Christianity to the flock while challenging the rational of deist thought. Butler stressed religion that spoke to the heart and not cluttered by thoughts of the mind. The emotional backlash among the faithful to this “heretical” movement was significant and extensive sparking a new movement in the opposite direction. Pietism, started by brothers John and Charles Wesley in 1738, stressed strict adherence to church teachings and that enlightenment was a tool of the Devil trying to poison people’s minds and lead them away from God. By the late1700’s, pietism and rationalism were very much in conflict with one another. Advocates of each diametrically opposed position disagreed fervently on religious ideals. They did, however, concur on the matter of religious freedom. In addition, both pietists and rationalists felt they were outside the mainstream; both feared persecution and acknowledged the blatant, historic abuses propagated by religious institutions. Interestingly, both movements, each considered radical for the time period, were considered similarly threatening to the state and church institutions which had an interest in maintaining the status quo. (Lewis, 1992). A few of the more progressive members of the clergy tolerated ideas born of the Enlightenment, a few even embraced many of the base philosophies. Unfortunately for the movement, various factions involved with the French Revolution distorted and misused concepts of the Enlightenment. Some, intent of banishing the Christian Church from France along with its oppressive tactics, did so under the banner of Enlightenment although none of the philosophers of the time advocated this overreach. As a result of this distortion, the movement was vilified by both the church and the public resulting in the end of the Enlightenment era. From that point on, anyone advocating enlightenment principle were branded as ultra-radicals and subversive. The Catholic hierarchy used this opportunity to consolidate its power by proclaiming new visions and miracles which, even prior to the Enlightenment years would have been mocked as a remnant of an overly superstitious past. “The Enlightenment was brought to an end with a new wave of fervent piety that provided security to the ruling classes and the Churches.” (Grell, Porter, 2000). However, the concept that the people should have more autonomy regarding decisions affecting their lives along with more flexible, tolerant governance that arose during the Enlightenment remained entrenched in society leading to political and legal reforms lasting well into the nineteenth century. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), the famous French philosopher and musician, did not agree with intellectuals of the enlightenment era claiming that philosophical knowledge along with advancements in the arts and sciences are not a prerequisite of cultural and moral progress and do not automatically enhance society as a whole. This was in contrast to enlightenment thought which put forward the idea that acquiring knowledge was essential for all aspects of societal progress. Rousseau wrote “reason can sometimes be the enemy of virtue when not constrained by the heart, enforcing a dichotomous animosity between emotions and reasons.” While not accepted by other philosophers of the enlightenment era, Rousseau’s position would remain embedded within areas of western philosophy for many years after his death. Rousseau criticized the concept of people trying to fashion themselves into the prevailing society’s concept of “civilized lives” instead of celebrating the primitive human person within. Due to this fundamental outlook, although Rousseau was a philosopher during the Age of Enlightenment, he was certainly not of the movement. (Cranston, 1991). The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that influenced the thoughts of society which permeated into the culture including the arts. The musical style of the period is commonly referred to as Baroque. This category of music reflected the concepts and attitudes of the populace at this time. Reason, balance, form, logic and order were all characteristics of this genre. Rousseau played a significant role in the Baroque style gained much notoriety as a musician as well as a philosopher during this period. Though he wasn’t an advocate of Enlightenment thinking, Rousseau’s music is an intrinsic part of the Enlightenment period mirroring its essential components. “Somewhat complicated and ambiguous, Rousseau’s general philosophy tried to grasp an emotional and passionate side of man which he felt was left out of most previous philosophical thinking.” (Cranston, 1991). Rousseau’s Le Devin du Village, an opera, is one of the more popular musical pieces of the Enlightenment era. Written during the chaotic French Revolution it reflects the sense of confusion and conflict prevalent during this time. The artwork of the Enlightenment period, like the music, largely imitated the political, scientific and social breakthroughs occurring in Europe. The Taking of the Bastille was a well-known French painting by Jean-Pierre Houel during the eighteenth century. The painting has become an icon because it is a historical depiction of the French Revolution. Another significant work of art from the era is Joseph Bonnier de la Mosson by Jean-MarcNattier, painted in the mid 1700’s, depicts a well-dressed, educated man reading a book in a stylish library. It is indicative of Enlightenment concepts because it demonstrates the growing aspiration people had to learn and grow as individuals. (Lewis, 1992). The Age of Enlightenment established a new appreciation for the way a society can function. The concept of law as a contract between the people instead of being decreed by a monarchy thought to have its powers bestowed by God became a viable alternative. New concepts such as individual autonomy and fundamental rights were born in this era which included increased belief in an orderly, coherent and understandable universe rather than one formed by a supernatural being. Deism was a product of the Enlightenment, a concept that was not part of the social discussion previously. It acted to close the door on the religious dark ages and governmental monarchies which was an important step in human development. It set the stage for many political advancements, the American concept of freedom, liberty and law being the recipient of such thinking. Enlightenment philosophers discovered a basic formula for eternal human contentment. They wanted to deliver people from the restraints of traditions and of the mind so they could live freely. The history of philosophical swings in society dictate there is going to be a resistance to change and the ideological pendulum will revert back close to where is was before. This was true of the Enlightenment period. However, it did instigate a very real change in how a society processes information and moves forward although slowly. Some would suggest the Enlightenment has experienced several pendulum swings, that society is still in that era and likely will be for some time to come. Works Cited Cranston, Maurice. The Noble Savage: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1754-1762. University of Chicago Press, 1991. Eliot , Simon and Stern, Beverly, The Age of Enlightenment. London: Ward Lock Educational, 1979. Grell, Peter and Porter, Roy. Toleration in Enlightened Europe. Cambridge University Press. 2000. Web. December 6, 2012. http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/51967/sample/9780521651967wsc00.pdf Lewis, Hackett. The European Dream of Progress and Enlightenment. History of the World International. The Age of Enlightenment: The European Dream of Progress and Enlightenment. 1992 Web. December 6, 2012 http://history-world.org/age_of_enlightenment.htm Read More