0
Age of Enlightenment
Also known as the Age of Reason, this period of Western Philosophy lasted from the mid 17th Century until the 18th Century and brought about concepts and ideas that govern today's society.
1,864 Questions
Did baron montesquieu think people should govern themselves?
Baron Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers within government to prevent tyranny. He promoted a system where different branches of government act as checks on each other to protect liberty and prevent abuse of power. While he did not explicitly argue for direct self-governance by the people, his ideas laid the foundation for democratic principles and influenced the development of modern democratic systems.
How much does the thinker cost?
The original sculpture of "The Thinker" by Auguste Rodin is not for sale as it is a priceless artwork and part of various collections worldwide. However, reproductions or smaller versions can be purchased for prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on size and material.
How did Diderot's Encyclopedia help spread Enlightenment ideas?
Diderot's Encyclopedia compiled and disseminated a wide range of Enlightenment ideas on science, art, philosophy, and government in a single, accessible source. It helped spread these ideas by making them available to a broader audience, including scholars, students, and the general public. The Encyclopedia challenged traditional authority and promoted critical thinking, contributing to the growth of Enlightenment ideals across Europe.
What is the 18th-century enlightenment philosophy?
The 18th-century Enlightenment philosophy was a cultural movement that emphasized reason, logic, and individualism over tradition and authority. It promoted ideas such as freedom, tolerance, and progress, leading to advancements in science, politics, and philosophy. Key figures of this period include Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke.
What is the concept of Bodhisattva?
BODHISATTVA (Pali: Bodhisatta) is a being who aspires for Bodhi or Enlightenment. The concept of bodhisattva (meaning Buddha-to-be) is one of the most important concepts in Buddhism. Etymologically the term can be separated into two parts, bodhi and sattva: bodhi from the rootbudh, to be awake, means 'awakening' or 'enlightenment' and 'sattva'derived from sant, the present participle of the root as, 'to be', means 'a being' or, literally, 'one who is', 'a sentient being.' Hence, the term is taken to mean 'one whose essence is Enlightenment' or 'enlightened knowledge'. By implication it means a seeker after enlightenment, a Buddha-to-be. There is also a suggestion that the Pali term may be derived from bodhi and satta, (Skt. sakta from sanj) 'one who is attached to or desires to gain enlightenment.'
In original Pali Buddhism, the term bodhisatta is used more or less exclusively to designate Gautama Buddha prior to his enlightenment.
The Bodhisattva Concept [Contents]
The concept of bodhisattva, along with that of Buddha and of the cakravartin (world-ruler), was in vogue in India even before the appearance of Gautama Buddha. When Prince Siddhartha, who later became Gautama Buddha, took conception in the womb of Queen Maya, a seer predicted that Suddhodana's future son would be either a world-ruler (cakravartin) or a Buddha. Once, answering a question by a Brahmin, the Buddha himself admitted that he is neither a god nor ayakkha, but a Buddha, meaning thereby one of a succession of Buddhas (A. II, p. 38).
The well-known Pali stanza
sabbapapassa akaranam
kusalassa upasampada,
sacittapariyodapanam
etam buddhana sasanam -- (Dhp. stz. 183; Nett. p. 43)
states that the teaching it contains is not of a single Buddha but of all the Buddhas. The Amagandha Sutta is similarly recorded as a discourse not of Gautama Buddha but of a past Buddha named Kassapa (Sn. vv. 239 ff.).
Sammasambodhi or Perfect Enlightenment is an impersonal universal phenomenon occurring in a particular context both in time and in space and a Buddha is thus a person who re-discoversthe Dhamma, which had become lost to the world and proclaims it anew (Pug. p. 29). When Gautama Buddha appeared, however, he himself as well as others used the term bodhisattva to indicate his career from the time of his renunciation up to the time of his enlightenment. Later, its use was extended to denote the period from Gautama's conception to the enlightenment and, thereafter, to all the Buddhas from their conception to Buddhahood. By applying the doctrine of karma and of rebirth, which had general acceptance even in pre-Buddhist India, the use of the term was further extended to refer to the past lives not only of Gautama Buddha, but also of those rare beings who aspire for Perfect Enlightenment.
The oldest Theravada tradition, as contained, for example, in the Mahapadana Suttanta (D. ii, p. 1) gives details of six Buddhas prior to Gautama. This discourse is attributed to the Buddha himself, who gives the time, caste, family, length of life etc. of these predecessors of his. In the Buddhavamsa, a later work belonging to the Khuddaka Nikaya, the number increases to twenty-five with Gautama Buddha as the last and this number remains fixed in Theravada tradition.
However, these enumerations by no means imply that they are exhaustive. In the Mahapadana Suttanta the Buddha starts the story of the six Buddhas merely by saying that ninety-one kappasago there was such and such a Buddha, implying thereby that such beings were not limited in number. From this it follows that, if the Buddhas are innumerable, the bodhisattvas too must be innumerable.
When prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment he did so as a human being and lived and passed away as such. As mentioned earlier, he himself admitted that he was a Buddha and not a deva or any such supernatural being. He was only the discoverer of a lost teaching. His greatness was that he found out what his contemporaries could not discover at all or discovered only incompletely. He was a genius by birth who achieved the highest state possible for man. Both intellectually and morally he was a great man, a superman (mahapurisa). In all the stages of his life, from conception onwards, something extraordinary was seen in him.
What enlightenment ideas were included in the constitution?
The U.S. Constitution reflects Enlightenment ideas such as popular sovereignty (the authority of the government comes from the people), separation of powers (dividing government roles among branches), checks and balances (each branch can limit the power of the others), and individual rights (protection of individual liberties). These concepts were influenced by Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
What did the enlightenment have on the future?
The Enlightenment had a profound impact on the future by promoting ideals such as reason, individualism, and liberty as foundations for society and governance. It paved the way for revolutions, the spread of democratic principles, and advancements in science, technology, and human rights that continue to shape the modern world.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is credited with the idea of a social contract between people and their government. He believed that individuals should come together in a social contract to form a society governed by the general will of the people.
What were the ideas of john Locke about the enlightenment?
John Locke was a key figure in the Enlightenment, advocating for the importance of individual liberty, natural rights, and the social contract theory. He believed that all humans are born with certain rights such as life, liberty, and property, and that government exists to protect these rights. Locke's ideas heavily influenced political thought on democracy and limited government.
What did the philosophers hope to change by putting Enlightenment ideas into practice?
The direction of the world! Philosophers provide a new lens, a new way of seeing and doing but when some look through it is blurred and for others it is clear. The job of philosophy is to spread ideas!
What event may have had the largest effect on political thinkers of the Enlightenment?
The Scientific Revolution had a significant effect on political thinkers of the Enlightenment due to its emphasis on reason, observation, and empirical evidence. This new way of understanding the world influenced Enlightenment thinkers to apply the same principles to politics, advocating for rationalism, individual rights, and democracy.
Why did King Charles trust Magellan?
King Charles trusted Magellan because of his reputation as an experienced navigator and explorer. Magellan successfully presented his plan to find a westward route to the Spice Islands, which would benefit Spain economically. Additionally, King Charles was eager to expand Spanish influence and control over new territories.
How enlightenment ideas impacted the absolute monarchs?
Enlightenment ideas challenged the absolute authority of monarchs by promoting the concepts of individual rights, reason, and the social contract. Monarchs faced pressure to adopt more limited forms of government, adhere to constitutional principles, and grant greater rights to their subjects. Some monarchs, like Frederick II of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia, embraced certain Enlightenment ideas while seeking to maintain their power.
What was the timespan of the enlightenment?
The Enlightenment era took place roughly from the late 17th century to the late 18th century, spanning from around 1685 to 1815. It was a period marked by significant advancements in science, philosophy, politics, and culture across Europe.
How did the idea of natural law contributed to the enlightenment?
The idea of natural law contributed to the Enlightenment by promoting the belief that certain ethical principles are inherent in nature and can be understood through reason. This helped to challenge traditional sources of authority like the church and monarchy, leading to increased emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. Thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau drew on natural law theory to support ideas of democracy and social contract theory.
How did salons help to shape and spread the ideas of the Enlightenment?
Salons were a common place to civilly discuss recent events and/ or new ideas. They helped shape the Enlightenment because new ideas and events were discussed, keeping people "in-the-know" and spreading the new ideas in a civil, philosophical way.
Which person was considered to be the most influentail of the enlightenment period?
There is not one single person who was considered the most influential during the Enlightenment period, as it was a time of diverse and groundbreaking ideas. However, philosophers like Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke are often seen as key figures who had a significant impact on the period.
Who embraced ideals and principles of the enlightenment?
The Enlightened Despots were rulers that used the principles of popular enlightenment figures in their everyday ruling. The 3 Enlightened Despots were Joseph II, of Austria, Catherine the Great, of Russia, and Frederick the Great, ruler of Prussia. These 3 rulers made laws to benefit the people of their countries. Some laws passed by these rulers included:
The abolishment of serfdom
Reduction of censorship
Freedom of the press
Religious Toleration
How did the doubting of Greek authorities help authorities help usher in the Scientific Revolution?
The obeservations the Europeans made did mot fit with what the authorities
had described. This helped lead to the Scientific Revolution.
What are some new ideas that arose during the Enlightenment?
The single greatest idea that arose during the enlightenment was this: "Use your eyes! Use your mind!! Perhaps some things are not neat little pious platitudes like you were taught! Observe! Ponder! THINK!
What is the name for the group pride that was birthed from Enlightenment reasoning?
The name for the group pride birthed from Enlightenment reasoning is called "Enlightenment humanism" or "Enlightenment rationalism."
What is enlightenment optimism?
Enlightenment optimism is the belief that human reason and science can lead to progress and improvement in society. It is based on the idea that individuals have the power to make positive changes through education, rationality, and critical thinking. The Enlightenment period in the 18th century emphasized this optimism as a way to advance civilization and overcome ignorance and superstition.
How did the ideas of absolute monarchs conflict with the ideas of enlightenment thinkers?
The Enlightenment was all about how everyone was equal and had the right to make their own decisions, and not always trust what the government was telling them. The monarchs wanted everyone to obey and not question their orders.
What changes did the enlightenment encourage for social progress?
The Enlightenment encouraged the idea of individual rights, freedom of speech, and separation of powers in government, leading to movements for democracy and civil rights. It also promoted the importance of reason, science, and education, which helped to challenge traditional authority and inequalities in society.
How did maria theresa implement enlightenment ideas?
Maria Theresa implemented some Enlightenment ideas by supporting education reforms, promoting religious tolerance, and centralizing her administration to improve efficiency and governance. She also encouraged economic development and enacted some social reforms to improve the well-being of her subjects.
