Jacques-Louis_David,_Le_Serment_des_Horaces
Portrait_of_Thomas_Paine
Ronin Helsing Presents: The Age of Enlightenment
Overview
By Ronin Helsing
Philosophy
Philosophy is the core of Enlightenment society. Old classical ideas of natural law, liberty and democratic republicianism were popular during this era. The following are three key figures:
Baron de Montesquieu: French Philosopher who argued for separation of powers and influenced the US Constitution with his work "The Spirit of Laws."
John Locke: "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" can be traced to John Locke's philosophy of Natural Law and social contract theory of government.
Thomas Paine: Author of "Common Sense," a pamphlet which was pivotal in starting the American Revolution.
Images:
- Der Weimarer Musenhof (1860), by Theobald Von Oer; Public Domain
Portrait of Charles Montesquieu, by Jacques-Antoine Dassier; Public Domain
Portrait of John Locke, by Godfree Knellor; Public Domain
Portrait of Thomas Paine, by Laurent Dabos; Public Domain
Politics and Government
The age of Enlightenment brought an end to feudalism and ushered in a new era of democracy inspired by the Greek classical era. This led to the rise of Democratic Republicanism.
Natural Law, which is the belief in objective ethics and equality of human rights, was a formative part of the making of these new governments. A discussion began to end the practice of overt slavery in many countries.
Art and Culture
As art is downstream from culture, the age of enlightenment also saw revolutions in the art world. Baroque and Roccoco styles of art, known for their detailed and lavish embellishments, became viewed as opulent and overindulgent. In music, intriquate fugues of the Baroque era were replaced by thematic stoic simplicity. A rise to an era of neo-classicism in art began, with many painters returning to styles and themes of the age of the Greeks and Romans. This can be seen in the architecture of American National monuments.
Image: "Oath of the Horatii" by Jacques-Louis David; Public Domain
Revolutions
The enlightenment ushered in many revolutions of nonviolent and bloody varieties such as:
- The Industrial Revolution: scientific advancements were increased which led way to new technologies which industrialized the workforce.
- The American Revolution: gave way to the first democratic republic since the classical era.
- The French Revolution: the proletarian rise against the bourgiousie was a proto-communist revolution of sorts.
- The Haitian Revolution: Slaves rose against their masters and murdered their entire families.
licensing
“The Age of Enlightenment” by Ronin Helsing is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.