The Enlightenment Puritanism Essay - 807 Words

The Enlightenment period, also known as The Age of Reason, was a period of social, religious, and political revolution throughout the 18th century which changed the thoughts of man during this â€Å"awakening† time. It was a liberation of ignorant thoughts, ideas, and actions that had broken away from the ignorant perception of how society was to be kept and obeyed thus giving little room for new ideas about the world. Puritan society found these new ideas of thought to be extremely radical in comparison to what they believed which was a belief of strong rational religion and morality. Enlightened society believed that the use of reason would be a catalyst of social change and had a demand of political representation thus resulting in a time†¦show more content†¦This had an adverse effect on the churches’ power which was lessened because of the influence of new â€Å"radical† thoughts of religion. Because of ideas that the Enlightenment brought forth fro m writing, they also made a significant impact on how politics transitioned from the old theocratic view of government into a democratic institution. Next, the new ideal of government started bringing new ideas of how the government should be established. The old theocracy view of the Puritans gave power to the ministers of the older settlements which limited all power from the people. An example of political philosophy ideas that were proposed was the introduction of empiricism by John Locke which profoundly influenced American society to the thought that government had an emphasis of a social contract which created a consistency between society and the laws of nature. This meant that power would reside with the people rather than the state. The Puritan government, before the Enlightenment, was shrouded in myth and radical religious rule where they believed that God had everything to do with how they made decisions. Enlightenment philosophers that would eventually come to be, such as Thomas Jefferson, introduced the Constitution which stated: that the government would be â€Å"for the people, byShow MoreRelatedPuritanism And Its Effect On Society1457 Words   |  6 PagesPuritanism can be described as belonging to a covenant relationship with the Lord with expectation to free them from their sins (â€Å"Puritanism/Religion†). Studies from â€Å"Puritanism/Religion† show that what set Puritanism apart from the rest was the way it was preached and the intense experience it gave many. The style and teaching of the Bible have evolved over time. According to the â€Å"Journal of Church and State,† the Puritans connected a covenant relationship with unifying themselves (2014). McMahonRead MoreFranklin: Puritan or Enlightenment? Essay868 Words   |  4 PagesIs Franklin a Puritan or Enlightenment Thinker About Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin came from a very simple Calvinist background. Ha dad little formal education, but he made it through his own efforts and became a rare genius in human history. Everything seems to meet in this one man, mind and will, talent and art, strength and ease, wit and grace and he became almost everything: a printer, essayist, scientist, statesman, philosopher, political economist, ambassador, etc.-#161;#176;JackRead MoreThe Enlightenment : The Age Of Reason1126 Words   |  5 PagesThe Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an important period in the history of Western Civilization during the 17th and 18th centuries - a time of social turmoil where societies were divided between social groups and struggled for freedom, equality and democracy (Seidman, 2008: 6). This time gave rise to remarkable social thinkers, known as Enlighteners, who pioneered a new science of society (Seidman, 2008: 5). These highly educated Enlighteners believed the world could be rationallyRead MoreThe 17th Century Puritan Influence on the Writings of Thomas Paine1578 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Common Knowledge: 17th Century Puritan Influence in Common Sense There can be little doubt as to the fact that Thomas Paine was one of the most incisive minds of the Enlightenment, an intellectual movement that began in Europe and quickly spread to the surrounding continents including the United States of America, where Paine immigrated to. The embracing of concepts such as Deism and other ideas that favored mans prowess and knowledge over the traditional influence of a divine power during theRead MoreThe Deacons Masterpiece by Oliver Wendell Holmes: Making Fun of the Logical Fallacies That Pervade a Puritanical Worldview621 Words   |  3 Pagesdoctrine is humorously false. Concerned about the weak links in one-hoss shay construction, the titular Deacon sets about to build one that lasts what he presumes to be forever. Here again, Holmes criticizes the rigidity of thinking that pervades Puritanism. It is completely illogical to conceive of a product that truly lasts forever; or to build something that is so perfect that it never breaks down. The sort of absolutist thinking that promotes religious fundamentalism is precisely what guides theRead MoreEssay on Liberalism has Helped Shape Western Political Philosophy1034 Words   |  5 Pagesessay will shape how and why Liberalism has changed and evolved over time to ensure that people are living in the best society possible. I will also explain how deeply rooted ideas have shaped the way we live today. According to John Ryder, â€Å"the puritanism of the seventeenth century laid the foundation for the persistent American view of the uniqueness of the American experience with all its achievements and shortcomings.† Even today we have our own opinions and values on religion and government,Read MoreEnlightenment and Puritans782 Words   |  4 Pages The Enlightenment period, also known as The Age of Reason, was a period of social, religious, and political revolution throughout the 18th century which changed the thoughts of man during this â€Å"awakening† time. It was a liberation of ignorant thoughts, ideas, and actions that had broken away from the ignorant perception of how society was to be kept and obeyed thus giving little room for new ideas about the world. Puritan society found these new ideas of thought to be extremely radical in comparisonRead Morereligion in the colonies773 Words   |  4 Pagessaw the Native Americans as savages. However, William Penn held the utmost â€Å"Quaker† perspective. He believed that they should be treated as equals and he admired their language, diet, customs, and manners, and their overall way of life. The Enlightenment period also arose. It was more so intellectual and scientific. It is among the elite. It began in the 1500s and peaks by the 1600s with international scientific influences. The origins began with Galileo Galilei (Italian), Rene Descartes (France)Read MoreEnlightenment, Transcendentalism, and Puritan Theology Essay1840 Words   |  8 PagesEnlightenment, transcendentalism, and puritan theology: 3 philosophies that shaped 3 centuries in America. Since the time periods of each philosophy overlapped with the others, all 3 had similarities as well as differences. From these philosophies came different writers with different views, shaping American prose. A major Enlightenment author was Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine wrote a piece called The Age of Reason. In this piece he fully encompassed the ideologies of the Enlightenment. These includedRead MoreHow Education Should Be Structured Essay2015 Words   |  9 PagesSince the birth of Puritanism in what is now the United States of America, education has been shaped and molded time and time again with each movement of North American history. Most early American literature was persevered not in the form of novels, but in letters, diary and journal entries, and memoirs. These works often focused on the daily struggle of the author and the author’s love for God even in straining situations. The Pilgrims, as well as the Puritans, believed that a firm education was