The Influence of the Enlightenment

Research Paper

The Influence Of The Enlightenment

As Reflected In English Literature

Beginning in the late seventeenth century and lasting through the late 18th century, the Enlightenment was a movement that emphasized the use of reason to scrutinize formerly accepted traditions and doctrines. The shapers and followers of the Enlightenment undertook a critique of their world and all aspects of traditional life including religion, political organization, social structure, science, human relations, human nature, history, economics, as well as the very grounds of human understanding and put them under intense scrutiny and investigation. (Reill, vii). The Enlightenment was characterized by the dynamic between the criticism of the world at the time, and innovation to improve it for posterity. (Reill, viii). The study of human nature became a central feature of the Enlightenment. (Gomez, 3). In the Enlightenment, human nature was regarded as a subject of particular significance because it was believed to provide the foundation for all knowledge. (Gomez, 3). The Enlightenment was able to lay the basis for the critique of reason by rediscovering the passions, desires and sensations

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of the darker side of human nature. Human understanding and activity were now founded upon first hand feelings and sensations, replacing reason. (Reill, viii). The leaders of the Enlightenment relied heavily on the scientific method, with its emphasis on experimentation and careful observation. The philosophers believed that the scientific method could be directly applied to the study of human nature and so explored the issues directly affecting humans in education, law, philosophy, and politics and attacked tyranny, social injustice, superstition, and ignorance. (Creech, 2-3). To better understand human nature, Enlightenment scholars tried to observe and analyze human conduct and the processes of the mind. (Gomez, 3). The emphasis on the study of man and human nature led to the emergence of philosophical questions about ourselves as humans and our place in the world, and gave rise to the social sciences of psychology, sociology and anthropology. (Gomez, 3). This new thought, brought about the Enlightenment through the influenced the works of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Alexander Pope, and are reflected in their works; "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," "Leviathan," and "An Essay On Man."

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John Locke (1632-1704), the English moral, political and natural philosopher was a seventeenth century figure whose thought is said to have founded the Enlightenment. Locke was born into a liberal Puritan family in Somerset, and was well educated at the elite Westminster School and Christ's Church College of Oxford University. (Reill, 251). In 1690, Locke published his principal philosophical work, "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding." (Drabble, 587). In this work, Locke expressed his belief that human knowledge

is based upon the two factors of experience and the ability of reflection. Locke described experience as our sensory experience, being the sensations we obtain through seeing, hearing, touching and tasting. By reflection, Locke was referring to our ability as humans to reason. Locke's sensation theories have come to be known as his sensation psychology. In "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," Locke explains his belief that people are not born with any ideas, and tries to prove this theory by explaining how all ideas are rooted in experiences after birth. He explains that at birth our minds are "white paper," and that our sensory experiences begin to fill the paper. Our complex ideas are then a result of the compilation of several of these simple ideas. Reason and reflection then come into play in the production of abstract ideas. (Reill, 252-253). Locke's

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views almost imply that humans are not just products of their environment, but rather that they are able to transform their surroundings, and to some extent become their own makers. These thoughts reject the formerly accepted beliefs that human nature was uniform and constant. (Gomez, 5). Locke's theories expressed in his writing further inspired other thinkers of the Enlightenment to develop these ideas, further developing the theories of Enlightenment.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1678), was an English philosopher born at

Malmesbury to an English clergy man, but raised by his wealthy uncle. (Drabble, 471). Hobbes studied at Magdalen Hall, Oxford University, and in 1608 became the math tutor of the Earl of Devonshire. (Reill, 199). After being released from this post, Hobbes encountered many influential people in England including Sir Francis Bacon. (Drabble, 471). In 1651, Hobbes's "Leviathan" was published. In this work, Hobbes describes what he sees in humans by their nature. Hobbes developed his theory of the human condition off a mechanical, materialistic view of humanity. He saw people to be moved by the desire or power and the fear of death. He believed that people's fear of death joined them to a social contract for common good and

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protection. (Reill, 200). He describes how humans would behave if all social and legal restraints were taken away. Hobbes believed that without rules and the punishments civil societies inflict upon those who break those rules, that there would be a war of "every man against every man," because