The British Enlightenment was influenced by the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century and figures like Isaac Newton. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 established constitutional monarchy and political stability in Britain. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized empiricism, individualism, liberty, and the rights of individuals. Key representatives included John Locke, who argued for natural rights and social contract theory, George Berkeley, who questioned the nature of reality, and Daniel Defoe, whose novel "Robinson Crusoe" reflected Enlightenment ideals.
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1.British Enlightenment, historical and philosophical background, main representatives.
The British Enlightenment was influenced by the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century and figures like Isaac Newton. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 established constitutional monarchy and political stability in Britain. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized empiricism, individualism, liberty, and the rights of individuals. Key representatives included John Locke, who argued for natural rights and social contract theory, George Berkeley, who questioned the nature of reality, and Daniel Defoe, whose novel "Robinson Crusoe" reflected Enlightenment ideals.
The British Enlightenment was influenced by the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century and figures like Isaac Newton. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 established constitutional monarchy and political stability in Britain. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized empiricism, individualism, liberty, and the rights of individuals. Key representatives included John Locke, who argued for natural rights and social contract theory, George Berkeley, who questioned the nature of reality, and Daniel Defoe, whose novel "Robinson Crusoe" reflected Enlightenment ideals.
representatives. Historical and Philosophical Background Scientific Revolution: The British Enlightenment was deeply influenced by the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century, which introduced new ideas and methods for understanding the natural world. Figures like Sir Isaac Newton, who formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, played a pivotal role in shaping Enlightenment thought. Glorious Revolution (1688) The Glorious Revolution in 1688, which resulted in the overthrow of James II and the ascension of William III and Mary II to the throne, led to increased political stability and the development of constitutional monarchy in Britain. This event contributed to an atmosphere of political and intellectual ferment. William III Mary II of England (William of Orange) 1689 – 28 December 1694 1689– 8 March 1702 Empiricism Empiricism, the philosophical doctrine that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, was a central tenet of the British Enlightenment. Philosophers like John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume made significant contributions to empiricist thought. Individualism and Liberty Enlightenment thinkers in Britain emphasized the rights and freedoms of the individual. This focus on individualism and personal liberty would later influence the development of modern liberal democracy. Main Representatives of the British Enlightenment John Locke (1632-1704): Locke is often considered one of the foundational figures of the British Enlightenment. His "Two Treatises of Government" (1689) argued for the social contract and the natural rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property. George Berkeley (1685-1753): Berkeley was an influential philosopher known for his idealist philosophy, which questioned the nature of reality and the existence of material substance. His work had a profound impact on later philosophers and idealism. Daniel Defoe (1660-1731): A prolific writer and journalist, Defoe's notable works include the novel "Robinson Crusoe" (1719). His realistic storytelling and social commentary in works like "Robinson Crusoe" reflected Enlightenment ideals of individualism, adaptation, and the human capacity to overcome adversity.