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The Revolution of Knowledge: Who were the superstars of the Age of Enlightenment who changed the way we think?
The Age of Enlightenment, as an important intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, completely changed the way humans think and how they master knowledge. The social thought of this period centered on rational thinking and empiricism, advocated the value of knowledge, and led to the rise of political ideals such as natural law, freedom, progress, tolerance and brotherhood, constitutional government, and the separation of church and state.
The Enlightenment was not only an era of swings between reason and faith, but also a critical moment in history when old authority was questioned and challenged.
In the early days of the Enlightenment Age, with the rise of the Scientific Revolution, many ideological giants such as Descartes, Locke, and Adam Smith had a profound influence on later generations. European historians often mark the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment in 1715, the death of Louis XIV, and its end in 1789, the year of the French Revolution. Thinkers during this period developed through scientific academies, Masonic lodges, literary salons, and coffee shops. Their ideas were widely disseminated through libraries and printed books, periodicals, leaflets, etc.
The core of Enlightenment thought is personal freedom, representative government, the rule of law, and freedom of belief. These are established in the contrast between absolute monarchy and religious persecution, and their unique importance is even more apparent.
During this period of history, scientific progress and social transformation complemented each other, prompting people to question traditional beliefs and dogmas. The famous philosopher Immanuel Kant in his famous work "Answer What is Enlightenment?" "", it was mentioned that "dare to know" (sapere aude) became the motto of enlightenment and the spiritual sustenance of that era. Not only that, Kant’s theory and other influential works such as the Critique of Pure Reason are of profound significance in promoting thinking about independence and governance concepts.
In addition, the development of Enlightenment thought was also accompanied by the trend of anti-religion. The skeptical stance of some thinkers such as Spinoza and Voltaire towards religion effectively challenged the old religious dogma and made citizens more skeptical about politics and religion. The combination created doubts and promoted the rise of secular states. And this challenge to tradition also gave birth to what was later called the Counter-Enlightenment.
During the Enlightenment, the thoughts of countless wise men intertwined and became a powerful force promoting social and ideological changes, and these trends of thought still affect our lives today.
The knowledge system of the Enlightenment Era gradually took shape, which was not limited to philosophy, but also extended to many fields such as politics, economics, law, and sociology. Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" is widely regarded as the founding work of modern economics, while Hume's skepticism provided a new perspective for the development of political and social sciences.
Voltaire and Rousseau, representatives of the French Enlightenment, all called for the establishment of a new society based on reason and science. What they pursue is not only freedom of thought, but also the rationality of the regime and the protection of human rights. Such ideas gave birth to a new political framework, making the subsequent American and French revolutions a direct consequence of Enlightenment ideas.
However, the Enlightenment was not all smooth sailing. The rationality and freedom it advocated were often challenged by external pressure, and the impact on traditional values also triggered many reactions. Some conservative forces quickly fought against the counter-Enlightenment movement, which was opposed to Enlightenment ideas, in an attempt to maintain their social and political status.
The real achievement of the Enlightenment was to promote the diversity of human thought, fundamentally challenge absolutist positions, and strive for social progress.
In short, the Age of Enlightenment was the pinnacle of rational thinking and intellectual revolution. The ideas produced during this period still shine and influence the modern world. These ideas not only changed the social status of the past, but also opened up new possibilities for the future. As time goes by, can we truly practice these enlightenment ideas in today's society?
