The Renaissance
After the Middle Ages came the Reniassance
The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread across Europe. It marked a "rebirth" of interest in classical learning, art, science, and human potential. One cause of this change was the Black Death, which led to massive population loss and social upheaval. With fewer workers, people began to question traditional authority and seek new knowledge and ideas. This shift helped inspire Renaissance humanism, which celebrated individual achievement and learning. Artists and thinkers like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo reflected this new spirit in their works, shaping the modern world.
The Enlightenment
The Renaissance encouraged people to think for themselves, study the world around them, and value learning. These ideas lead to the Enlightenment, when thinkers began to question kings, the Church, and unfair laws. Renaissance scientists like Galileo inspired Enlightenment thinkers to use reason and evidence to understand the world. The printing press, first used during the Renaissance, helped spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe.
the Enlightenment encouraged curiosity, learning, and a belief in human progress. Enlightenment thinkers were humanists who supported equality and human dignity. They were opposed (in varying degrees) to supernatural occurrences, superstition, intolerance, and bigotry.
During the Enlightenment people developed new ideas about human existence, including peoples’ basic rights and the level of control they should have over their government and their futures. The Enlightenment began in Europe around 1715. Many of their ideas were based in science and reason, which is why this time was also called the Age of Reason.
Five Major Ideas of the Enlightenment
Reason: everything can be known by logic and reason
Nature: everything in nature is good and there for a reason.
Happiness: life should be enjoyed and we should focus on the good stuff.
Progress: society and people in general could always improve.
Liberty: people have the right to freedom if they want it.
Activity 1. What was the Enlightenment?.
The Enlightenment was an intellectual revolution in the 1700s. Philosophers said "Can we use reason and science to understand everything instead of just accepting what authorities (Kings and religion) tell us!"
To do: Research the following questions
What was the Enlightenment?
Explain the five major ideas of the Enlightenment.
What are some examples of natural rights?
What do citizens agree to in the social contract?
How did Kings and Queens gain power before the enlightenment?
How did the Enlightenment lead to the end of the age of Kings.
Activity 2. Philosophers social media profile
The Enlightenment was a cultural and intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Several key philosophers helped lay the foundations for the Enlightenment. Key thinkers such as John Locke (who inspired modern democracy), Voltaire (who fought for free speech and questioned religion), Rousseau (who said all people should be free), and Kant (who encouraged people to think for themselves).
These ideas helped spark revolutions and shaped how we think about human rights, democracy, and freedom today.
To do: Create a social media account for an Enlightenment philosopher.
Do some research about your chosen philosopher. Then you will be able to prepare suitable and effective Instagram posts on their behalf.
Your account will need the following three parts:
A profile of your philosopher (background information) include profile picture and handle.
Five posts that explain the key ideas of your philosopher to a modern audience.
Two posts that use the philosophers ideas to explain a current event.