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The Enlightenment in France
This is an introduction to the principle writers of the Enlightenment in Eighteenth Century France. French thinkers of this century made a long series of devastating attacks on old ideas, usages, and institutions that had been handed down from the past. And, at the same time, these thinkers proposed a series of thorough-going reforms in social, economic, political, religious, and educational ideas and institutions.
France was the center of the Enlightenment of the Eighteenth Century, but there were important thinkers that belonged to the movement in other countries, such as Vico and Beccaria in Italy; Lessing, Herder, and Kant in Germany; and Hume, Adam Smith, and Bentham in Britain. France, though, took the lead, and, outside of France, there were no thinkers of quite the influence of the French writers, Voltaire and Rousseau.
The whole climate of opinion was changed in France and the rest of Western Europe by these publicists and propagandists, or as they were commonly called, the Philosophes. The Eighteenth Century in France began with certain currents of opinion in the ascendency, namely, divine right and absolute monarchy, uniformity of religious opinion (Gallicanism in France), a controlled economy (Mercantilism), and Classicism in art and literature. And the Eighteenth Century ended with a widespread belief in some form of representative and Liberal government, with the idea that religion is an individual matter, with Laissez-faire economics, and with growing Romanticism in the arts. This change of opinion was largely due to the Philosophes.
Napoleon once said that "cannons destroyed the feudal order but ink destroyed the old monarchy." That is too simple an explanation. The French Revolution was actually the result of both: abuses of all kinds in the political, economic, and social order of the Old Regime and propaganda for all types of change. In spite of the excesses of the French Revolution and the Conservative reaction that followed it, the Philosophes' ideas of Liberalism and democracy went on to mold much of the thinking and institutions of the Western World.
France was the center of the Enlightenment of the Eighteenth Century, but there were important thinkers that belonged to the movement in other countries, such as Vico and Beccaria in Italy; Lessing, Herder, and Kant in Germany; and Hume, Adam Smith, and Bentham in Britain. France, though, took the lead, and, outside of France, there were no thinkers of quite the influence of the French writers, Voltaire and Rousseau.
The whole climate of opinion was changed in France and the rest of Western Europe by these publicists and propagandists, or as they were commonly called, the Philosophes. The Eighteenth Century in France began with certain currents of opinion in the ascendency, namely, divine right and absolute monarchy, uniformity of religious opinion (Gallicanism in France), a controlled economy (Mercantilism), and Classicism in art and literature. And the Eighteenth Century ended with a widespread belief in some form of representative and Liberal government, with the idea that religion is an individual matter, with Laissez-faire economics, and with growing Romanticism in the arts. This change of opinion was largely due to the Philosophes.
Napoleon once said that "cannons destroyed the feudal order but ink destroyed the old monarchy." That is too simple an explanation. The French Revolution was actually the result of both: abuses of all kinds in the political, economic, and social order of the Old Regime and propaganda for all types of change. In spite of the excesses of the French Revolution and the Conservative reaction that followed it, the Philosophes' ideas of Liberalism and democracy went on to mold much of the thinking and institutions of the Western World.
- GenresHistoryPhilosophy
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 13, 2020
Probably intended as a primer for students, this brief book outlines the philosophes, great and small and offering a little context to the discussion. It is too brief to offer a holistic view of the Enlightenment. Similarly, there is too little to connect the ideas of the philosophes with history except for vague allusions. Artz also has some clear preference for some philosophes and some ideas. His commentary at times can be distracting.
Artz offers roughly 10-page chapters on major thinkers of the era. Each chapter begins with a biography and then transitions into their literature. The two sections frequently overlap and blend together as it is easier to discuss concrete ideas such as history and relationships between thinkers than it is to dissect complex philosophical ideas. The fact that Artz does not dig too deeply further suggests that this book is little more than a primer to help students select paper topics.
Artz does not go into the philosophy except touching the surface. This makes the book more accessible to lay readers. However, he teases readers with frequent allusions to conflict between the philosophers without much, if any, elaboration. What is interesting is that most of them, according to Artz, had an optimistic outlook for the future. Artz writes that the constant flow of new inventions assisting people's lives combined with a greater literacy rate and reception of ideas gave the philosophes optimism. The notable exception was Rousseau.
Artz makes vague connections between the Enlightenment and History. In his conclusion he seemingly dismisses his entire work by saying "new ideas by themselves would have had no affect on the ancient regime were it not for the suffering of the common people." Well, suffering led to the Revolution. Ideas? The most famous of the philosophes was the socially awkward Rosseau, whose Social Contract Artz presents as a collection of self-contradictions that offer little concrete strategies that could be implemented outside of a small city-state.
The last comment is about Artz's writing style. He is equally dismissive of philosophers, their ideas, and connections. The result is that he belittles some ideas, ridicules, others, and glorifies more. In several passages he lambasts the philosophes for their arguments as trivial, such as the difference between ancient and modern philosophies. In another instance, he discusses a conflict over music, which he summarizes by saying both sides were wrong....the music in question was terrible.
Overall, it is informative and easy to read. It is short and moves quickly with longer chapters on Diderot and Rousseau - philosophers he admires and ridicules respectively. Readers will learn the philosophers, their important works, and some of their ideas, if biased.
Artz offers roughly 10-page chapters on major thinkers of the era. Each chapter begins with a biography and then transitions into their literature. The two sections frequently overlap and blend together as it is easier to discuss concrete ideas such as history and relationships between thinkers than it is to dissect complex philosophical ideas. The fact that Artz does not dig too deeply further suggests that this book is little more than a primer to help students select paper topics.
Artz does not go into the philosophy except touching the surface. This makes the book more accessible to lay readers. However, he teases readers with frequent allusions to conflict between the philosophers without much, if any, elaboration. What is interesting is that most of them, according to Artz, had an optimistic outlook for the future. Artz writes that the constant flow of new inventions assisting people's lives combined with a greater literacy rate and reception of ideas gave the philosophes optimism. The notable exception was Rousseau.
Artz makes vague connections between the Enlightenment and History. In his conclusion he seemingly dismisses his entire work by saying "new ideas by themselves would have had no affect on the ancient regime were it not for the suffering of the common people." Well, suffering led to the Revolution. Ideas? The most famous of the philosophes was the socially awkward Rosseau, whose Social Contract Artz presents as a collection of self-contradictions that offer little concrete strategies that could be implemented outside of a small city-state.
The last comment is about Artz's writing style. He is equally dismissive of philosophers, their ideas, and connections. The result is that he belittles some ideas, ridicules, others, and glorifies more. In several passages he lambasts the philosophes for their arguments as trivial, such as the difference between ancient and modern philosophies. In another instance, he discusses a conflict over music, which he summarizes by saying both sides were wrong....the music in question was terrible.
Overall, it is informative and easy to read. It is short and moves quickly with longer chapters on Diderot and Rousseau - philosophers he admires and ridicules respectively. Readers will learn the philosophers, their important works, and some of their ideas, if biased.
July 13, 2013
Picking this book up on a fanciful, philosophical whim I had not intended to learn as much as what I have. Artz gives not only gives a concise but very thorough account of of some of the more renown philosophers and their opinions of the time. First, as any proper introduction into a given period of time, he lays the groundwork of the history and mainstream trains of thought for the time which helps the reader understand how the philosophers were able to arrive at their conclusions. As desperately as I desired to give this book a 5 star rating, I found Artz's personal bias for a few particular philosophers to detract from the overall objectivity of the subject. Another pitfall that has more to do with the evolution of words than anything lacking from the book's content, is the continuing use of the word 'propaganda'. In the context of this book it means the materials which are used to proliferate a certain idea or ideology, but due to today's negative connotations surrounding the word it may seem to give a blurred or darker view of what the author seems to be attempting to convey.
All in all, I found this to be a very informative and engrossing read. Other than the few points mentioned above, the book has clear presentation and helps to clarify many of the ideas that were brought forth during the Enlightenment and the people behind these ideas.
All in all, I found this to be a very informative and engrossing read. Other than the few points mentioned above, the book has clear presentation and helps to clarify many of the ideas that were brought forth during the Enlightenment and the people behind these ideas.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews