Enlightenment Thinkers & Reformation's Impact on Society

The Enlightenment: Ideas and Impact

The Enlightenment fostered a critical attitude among the intelligentsia and promoted the advancement of literacy among the population. This era saw significant societal shifts, including educational reforms and a surge in published works.

Educational and Literary Advancements

• Prussia introduced the world's first primary education system for boys and girls.
• In England, book publications dramatically increased from 21,000 in 1710 to 65,000 in 1790. Religious content was increasingly replaced by works of science, arts, philosophy, and literature.

Key Enlightenment Philosophers

While these achievements were significant, some Enlightenment thinkers believed they were insufficient, leading to radical critiques of the political and social systems. Prominent philosophers include:

• John Locke (1632-1704): This British philosopher championed natural rights common to all people, including the rights to life, liberty, and property.
• Montesquieu (1689-1755): A French philosopher from a noble family, he criticized the absolutist concentration of powers and proposed a moderate monarchy with a clear separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
• Voltaire (1694-1778): This French philosopher, of bourgeois origin and a wealthy landowner, vehemently criticized religious fanaticism and the Church's hierarchy, advocating for a more individualistic creed. Though a supporter of enlightened absolutism, he championed civil rights and the necessity of justice.
• Rousseau (1712-1778): A Swiss philosopher of bourgeois origin, he argued for popular sovereignty, asserting that power should reside with the people, not the king. He believed society should submit to the general will expressed by the sovereign people.

Women's Role in the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment's emphasis on progress and reasoning empowered women to challenge their unequal status. Notable figures include:

• Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797): This British philosopher authored A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, arguing that women's subordination to men stemmed from differences in education.
• High-status women, such as Émilie du Châtelet and Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze (Marie Lavoisier), were actively involved in translation, dissemination, and scientific research during this period.

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation

The historical narrative also encompasses the transformative life of Martin Luther. Famously, he decided to join a monastery after surviving a fierce thunderstorm, promising that if he survived unscathed, he would devote his life to God.

Luther's subsequent actions profoundly impacted the Catholic Church. He launched a significant campaign against the sale of indulgences, culminating in the writing of his 95 Theses, which led to him being outlawed.

A pivotal development was the translation of the Bible into German, enabling common people to read it themselves. This accessibility fostered religious freedom and ultimately resulted in a split church structure with far-reaching societal consequences.