The Enlightenment: History, Philosophy, and Key Ideas

Understanding the Enlightenment Era

The Enlightenment takes place in the era of liberal revolutions encouraged by the bourgeoisie, from the English Revolution of 1688, which had created a Parliament, to the French Republic of 1789.

Defining the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment is a historical period characterized by significant changes in the mentality and social organization of European countries during the eighteenth century.

Enlightenment Across Europe

The English Enlightenment

England is considered the country that originated the Enlightenment. The English Enlightenment had an empirical basis (Locke, Hume, etc.) and was oriented towards the cultivation of the natural sciences, such as physics developed by Newton.

The French Enlightenment

In France, during the era of enlightened despotism, its leading figures and thinkers, such as Diderot, d'Alembert, Rousseau, etc., sought to spread culture.

The German Enlightenment

In Germany, a country politically and economically less advanced, the focus shifted to analyzing moral issues and the nature of reason itself. Kant emphasized the idea that true history begins in this era, viewing the past as a succession of errors, superstitions, and false knowledge where humanity failed to use reason adequately (or at all).

Core Ideas of Enlightenment Thought

Philosophy, Society, and Education

Enlightenment philosophy was a popular movement that spread to large sectors of society, fostering enthusiasm for knowledge and for organizing social life according to new principles. There was full confidence in the liberating influence of education.

Religion and Deism in the Era

Deism was the religious movement advocated by the majority of Enlightenment philosophers. Enlightenment philosophers undertook a critique of religion (similar to Kant's critique of reason), or attempted an analysis of religion to find its basic principles, aiming to reveal the true and universal religious sentiment of humanity.

Characteristics of Enlightenment Reason

Enlightenment reason had the following characteristics:

• It was autonomous, refusing submission to any religious or political authority.
• It was natural, inherent in all people.
• It was critical, enabling individuals to discern whether a statement is true or if an action is right.