I. Common Beliefs of Enlightenment, Deism, & Naturalism
1. Faith in natural goodness -- a human is born without taint or sin; the concept of tabula rasa or blank slate.
2. Perfectibility of a human being -- it is possible to improve situations of birth, economy, society, and religion.
3. The sovereignty of reason -- echoes of Rene Descartes' cogito ergo sum or "I think; therefore, I am" [or "I think.; therefore, I exist"] (as the first certitude in resolving universal doubt.)
4. Universal benevolence -- the attitude of helping everyone.
5. Outdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior - religious, social, economic, and political institutions, which have not modernized, force individuals into unacceptable behavior.
II. Functions of the Writers of this Period
1. A searching inquiry in all aspects of the world around.
2. Interest in the classics as well as in the Bible.
3. Interest in nature -- the "absentee landlord" phenomenon.
4. Interest in science and scientific experiments.
5. Optimism -- experiments in utopian communities
6. Sense of a person's duty to succeed.
7. Constant search of the self -- emphasis on individualism in: (a) personal religion (b) study of the Bible for personal interpretation.
III. Characteristics of the 18th Century
Dawn of liberalism: freedom from restraint; age of revolution in America and France; experimentation in science; economic concept of laissez-faire; the presence of the frontier.
IV. Results of Deism
Rational religion. God considered to be like a clockmaker; the world or the clock operates on its own mechanical and physical laws; if we understand these laws, we will understand the maker; scientific curiosity, revolution, growth in nationalism, growth in materialism, the age of the gifted amateur, and belief in progressivism.
Rational government. The organization and function is to be based on rational rather than divine law (separation of church and state). Government resides in the people.
(from Paul P Reuben. "Chapter 2: Colonial Period: 1700--1800 -- An Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-- A Research and Reference Guide. U of C State at Stanislaus. 2000. Web. 6 June 2006. [Used by permission] )
1. Faith in natural goodness -- a human is born without taint or sin; the concept of tabula rasa or blank slate.
2. Perfectibility of a human being -- it is possible to improve situations of birth, economy, society, and religion.
3. The sovereignty of reason -- echoes of Rene Descartes' cogito ergo sum or "I think; therefore, I am" [or "I think.; therefore, I exist"] (as the first certitude in resolving universal doubt.)
4. Universal benevolence -- the attitude of helping everyone.
5. Outdated social institutions cause unsociable behavior - religious, social, economic, and political institutions, which have not modernized, force individuals into unacceptable behavior.
II. Functions of the Writers of this Period
1. A searching inquiry in all aspects of the world around.
2. Interest in the classics as well as in the Bible.
3. Interest in nature -- the "absentee landlord" phenomenon.
4. Interest in science and scientific experiments.
5. Optimism -- experiments in utopian communities
6. Sense of a person's duty to succeed.
7. Constant search of the self -- emphasis on individualism in: (a) personal religion (b) study of the Bible for personal interpretation.
III. Characteristics of the 18th Century
Dawn of liberalism: freedom from restraint; age of revolution in America and France; experimentation in science; economic concept of laissez-faire; the presence of the frontier.
IV. Results of Deism
Rational religion. God considered to be like a clockmaker; the world or the clock operates on its own mechanical and physical laws; if we understand these laws, we will understand the maker; scientific curiosity, revolution, growth in nationalism, growth in materialism, the age of the gifted amateur, and belief in progressivism.
Rational government. The organization and function is to be based on rational rather than divine law (separation of church and state). Government resides in the people.
(from Paul P Reuben. "Chapter 2: Colonial Period: 1700--1800 -- An Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-- A Research and Reference Guide. U of C State at Stanislaus. 2000. Web. 6 June 2006. [Used by permission] )
