Why do historians call the years 1687-1789 the age of reason?

Answer 1

Hello Friend, the eighteenth century my what a wonderful time, why it seems like it was just yesterday. It was called the age of reason because it exalted reason over traditional and authoritarian belief systems. Yeah I would know. Remember you're a star! From Rowoul K

Answer 2

For a short answer, the term, "Enlightenment," was an English-language "spin" on the original, German, term, "Aufklarung" meaning "out-clearing." It was so-named for the anti-religious reactionary mentality which drove its inception. There had been grievous abuses at that time by nationalists revolting against Rome under cover as Protestants, and there had been attempts by Rome to maintain control by craft and force of arms as well. Rather than take the time to use their new scholarly skills and resources to find what Christianity, per se, was, the trend was to reject all bad interpretations, and the message being misinterpreted, as one. This movement traces back to the thought of (14th c.) William of Ockham who is believed to have first proposed a dividing wall between the sacred and the profane, or grace and nature if you will. While it began to be seen as a rather porous divide, over time the wall has become increasingly thick and dense, so that today even the aesthetic and intuitive, such as the appreciation of beauty in art or nature, or romantic love on a level higher than simple lust, loses credibility in modern thought with each passing year. In the English, a better word might be, "the En-darkening."

Answer 3

Because reason was valued above all else during this period in time.

Answer 4

It was called that because enlightenment was a time when reason was valued above all else, the church was questioned on the basis of reason.