Enlightenment (literature)
The Enlightenment was a significant intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It emphasized reason as a primary means of understanding the world, challenging established religious doctrines and advocating for the adoption of scientific methods. Literary works from this period played a crucial role in promoting Enlightenment ideals, with authors using literature as a tool for education and social critique. Notable literary figures included Jonathan Swift, known for his satirical works like "A Modest Proposal," which highlighted social injustices through humor and absurdity.
Enlightenment writers sought to undermine the authority of organized religion and monarchies, advocating for ideas such as the separation of church and state and the importance of rational governance. Prominent non-satirical texts include "The Spirit of Law" by Montesquieu, "Two Treatises on Government" by John Locke, and "The Social Contract" by Rousseau, all of which contributed to the development of modern democratic thought. The movement significantly influenced the advancement of science, education, and individual rights, leaving a lasting impact on Western philosophy and political theory.
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Enlightenment (literature)
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement that took place during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe. The movement led to the composition and publication of historically significant literary works, including A Modest Proposal, The Spirit of Law, and The Social Contract. The Enlightenment was characterized by prioritizing reason over faith, pushing against the authority of religious organizations and advocating for the widespread adoption of science. Because of this, many literary works of the Enlightenment point out the flaws associated with organized religion and advocate for increased education among the population of Europe.
Background
The Enlightenment was a European intellectual movement during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It is characterized by the development of a worldview based on reason instead of faith. Proponents of the Enlightenment believed that widespread reason-based viewpoints would provide humans with a greater understanding of the universe and a brighter, happier future.
The writers, philosophers, and scientists of the Enlightenment argued that logic was the primary means by which humans understood the universe. They credited the Ancient Greeks with pioneering the use of reason to create a unique worldview and believed that by following their example, proponents of the Enlightenment could help advance humanity. Members of the Enlightenment strongly supported advances in science and education.
Because the Enlightenment proposed the use of science, study, and experimentation over blind faith, it was unpopular with many religious leaders. Though some members of the Enlightenment believed that religion and science might be compatible, all members contended that accepting the nature of reality on faith alone was a mistake. They believed that people did not need to rely on scripture or religious leaders for knowledge about the world. They should instead use experimentation and other scientific methods to learn about reality.
The Enlightenment had many influential leaders who worked in a variety of disciplines. One of the most prominent, Benjamin Franklin, was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. In his youth, Franklin was apprenticed to a print shop, where he quickly learned the power of publishing philosophical texts. Franklin opposed strict church doctrines, instead working to create libraries and encourage individuals to develop their own moral codes and worldviews. In his later years, after he became wealthy from his printing business, Franklin devoted his life to politics and scientific experimentation.
During the early eighteenth century, British politician James Oglethorpe sought to create a new colony based on the principles of the Enlightenment. He secured permission from King George III and used government assistance to found the colony of Georgia. Oglethorpe initially planned for the colony to ban alcohol and enslavement, encouraging each colony member to work toward developing a utopia in which all people were truly equal. However, these restrictions made the colony unpopular with the surrounding colonies and were eventually rescinded.
Overview
Literature was viewed as an important tool during the Enlightenment. Many writers viewed literature as the primary method by which the masses should educate themselves. Doing so would enable them to make informed decisions and possibly to the scientific advancement of society as a whole. They also noted that as a means of mass communication, literature advocating for views held by members of the Enlightenment would be one of the most effective means of growing their movement.
Many writers of the Enlightenment sought to critique the conservative, religious establishment in an amusing way. They hoped that by injecting humor into their arguments, more people would be compelled to read their works and consider their worldview. This led to the development of satire, a genre in which writers provide comedic, impractical solutions to real problems. In doing so, they both entertain the reader and draw attention to the problems themselves. One of the most famous examples of early satire, A Modest Proposal, was written by Jonathan Swift. Swift suggests in the work that a growing famine in Ireland could be solved if the Irish were willing to sell their children to be used as food. He uses this shocking idea to draw attention to the cruelty of Ireland’s wealthy landowners. Other prominent satirical writers include Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson.
Non-satirical Enlightenment authors promoted the political ideals associated with the Enlightenment. They advocated for a separation of church and state, arguing that government leadership positions should be held by people who act rationally instead of acting on faith. They also worked to undermine the authority of both religious institutions and monarchies. Their writing questioned the viewpoints of large, organized religions, providing alternative explanations for the functioning of the universe. It also spread the adoption of the scientific method, encouraged experimentation, and praised the development of intellectualism. In addition to their literary careers, many Enlightenment writers were scientists, philosophers, and physicians. They used their academic pursuits to provide additional support to their appeals for intellectualism and rationalism.
Some of the most important non-satirical literary works of the Enlightenment include The Spirit of Law (1748), Two Treatises on Government (1689), and The Social Contract (1762). The Spirit of Law was a literary work by French lawyer Baron de Montesquieu, who discussed in the work a potential government that separated its powers into various branches. This document was influential in the later development of Western democracy. Two Treatises on Government was a famous work by English philosopher John Locke in which he argued that humans have a natural right to life, liberty, and property. The Social Contract was written by the Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau arguing that governments had an innate responsibility to protect and work in the best interests of their subjects.
Bibliography
“Age of Enlightenment Literature.” Lumen, 2023, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-fmcc-hum140/chapter/3-10-age-of-enlightenment-literature/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.
Campos, Manuel. “A Guide to Enlightenment Literature.” English Post, 6 July 2023, englishpost.org/literary-movements-the-enlightment/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.
“Enlightenment.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 29 Aug. 2017, plato.stanford.edu/entries/enlightenment/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.
“The Enlightenment.” Kahn Academy, 2023, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/colonial-north-america/a/the-enlightenment/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.
“The Enlightenment.” W.W. Norton, 2006, wwnorton.com/college/english/nawest/content/overview/enlightenment.htm. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.