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Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)
The Enlightenment: A Beginner's Guide
Blamed for the bloody disasters of the 20th Auschwitz, the Gulags, globalisation, Islamic terrorism; heralded as the harbinger of reason, equality, and the end of arbitrary rule, the Enlightenment has been nothing if not divisive. To this day historians disagree over when it was, where it was, and what it was (and sometimes, still is). Kieron O'Hara deftly traverses these conflicts, presenting the history, politics, science, religion, arts, and social life of the Enlightenment not as a simple set of easily enumerated ideas, but an evolving conglomerate that spawned a very diverse set of thinkers, from the radical Rousseau to the conservative Burke.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 3, 2025
First Thoughts: Reads kind of like an intro to philosophy book but with more cultural and historical diversions. The Enlightenment seems less radical (at least in this account) then I had imagined. The radical ideas I had associated with the Enlightenment such as complete faith in progress and science, as well as Marxism and central planning were more associated with positivism in the 19th century. Although the ideas originated in the Enlightenment they were couched in more moderate terms and lived along skepticism that was often directed at them.
The first half of the Enlightenment was more optimistic but that optimism was shaken by the Lisbon earthquake. Although the earthquake helped destroy religion since it failed to provide an answer to why it happened to one of the most religious countries in Europe and why the churches were destroyed but the red light district was spared.
The baroque, neo-classical and Rococo styles were enlightenment styles.
While the Enlightenment age itself (author dates it from 1688 to 1789) was more moderate then expected, it did nonetheless destroy the past and thus the defense and guardrails against crazy ideas while also giving birth to those ideas, even if they weren't pushed to the radical degrees they soon would be. The Enlightenment successfully destroyed faith in authority and tradition and severely undermined religion. Although, interestingly, the author says the Catholics were more reactionary while the Protestants having jettisoned tradition had very little defense and incorporated much of the Enlightenment.
The ideology of the Enlightenment was Liberalism although the seeds were also planted for later Socialisms. Adam Smiths "free market" was much more restrained then what we think of it today seeing it though the lens of neo-Liberalism and Hayek. As a side note very disappointed to find Hayek associated with neo-Liberalism, I hope this isn't true.
The author talks about Conservatism twice throughout the book and each one is different. The first one is Conservatism as having respect for complexity and traditions and seeking slow incremental changes directed by reason. The second time is as a defense of established hierarchy and the status quo. The first is much easier to have sympathy for but modern republicans are certainly the second.
The first half of the Enlightenment was more optimistic but that optimism was shaken by the Lisbon earthquake. Although the earthquake helped destroy religion since it failed to provide an answer to why it happened to one of the most religious countries in Europe and why the churches were destroyed but the red light district was spared.
The baroque, neo-classical and Rococo styles were enlightenment styles.
While the Enlightenment age itself (author dates it from 1688 to 1789) was more moderate then expected, it did nonetheless destroy the past and thus the defense and guardrails against crazy ideas while also giving birth to those ideas, even if they weren't pushed to the radical degrees they soon would be. The Enlightenment successfully destroyed faith in authority and tradition and severely undermined religion. Although, interestingly, the author says the Catholics were more reactionary while the Protestants having jettisoned tradition had very little defense and incorporated much of the Enlightenment.
The ideology of the Enlightenment was Liberalism although the seeds were also planted for later Socialisms. Adam Smiths "free market" was much more restrained then what we think of it today seeing it though the lens of neo-Liberalism and Hayek. As a side note very disappointed to find Hayek associated with neo-Liberalism, I hope this isn't true.
The author talks about Conservatism twice throughout the book and each one is different. The first one is Conservatism as having respect for complexity and traditions and seeking slow incremental changes directed by reason. The second time is as a defense of established hierarchy and the status quo. The first is much easier to have sympathy for but modern republicans are certainly the second.
January 9, 2024
3.5
This book serves as a good introduction into the Enlightenment era. It is divided into areas highlighting the aspects, philosophies which underpinned it, the artistic and cultural elements that came from it, along with how gender and race was viewed during the the 18th Century.
It can be a bit heavy handed with describing concepts from different writers of the time, so you may need to take your time with it when reading.
This book serves as a good introduction into the Enlightenment era. It is divided into areas highlighting the aspects, philosophies which underpinned it, the artistic and cultural elements that came from it, along with how gender and race was viewed during the the 18th Century.
It can be a bit heavy handed with describing concepts from different writers of the time, so you may need to take your time with it when reading.
March 28, 2025
A good, broad introduction to the Enlightenment. It was interesting to note that the Baroque / Rococco, & Classical periods belong to the Enlightenment. Romantic belong to the Enlightenment. The post-Enlightenment era includes the Romantic, Colonialism, & Postmodernist periods.
The text makes use of many examples from the English, Scottish, American, German & French schools of thought of the Enlightenment.
The text makes use of many examples from the English, Scottish, American, German & French schools of thought of the Enlightenment.
May 25, 2024
British way of telling The Enlightenment is a bit of cumbersome, but very useful for a beginner to learn all kinds of terms related to the period. Can be a bit boring, though the political theory section is quite refreshing and inspiring.
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December 30, 2014Chapter 1 – Aspects of the Enlightenment to be outlined in the book include new sources of authority, particularly grounded in human capacities, confidence and optimism, skepticism, universal reason, self-interest, happiness and human nature, attitudes of an educated minority. “L’encyclopedie” as the quintessence of Enlightement. Notes the limits of Enlightenment, women limited, elitist, often looked down upon those who were not Enlighteneed.
Chapter 2 - Author sees Enlightenment beginning in 1688 (Glorious Revolution) and ending in 1789 (French Revolution). The former demonstrating the value of reasoned thought and the latter demonstrating its limits. Sees there being three phases: 1688-1740 or 1750. Dominated by traditional forms of government, Church remained strong and the Enlightenment spirit was concentrated in the middle classes. A middle phase from about 1750 to American Revolution skepticism of Enlightened thinkers turned toward Enlightenment ideals. Important event prompting this development was a major earthquake in Lisbon which highlighted limits of Enlightened leadership and called into question the presence of a benevolent God. During this phase, revival of religious enthusiasm. Ruling class absorbed some ideas of Enlightenment as exemplified by Frederick of Prussia, Catherine of Russia, and Joseph of Austria. Final phase from 1780 on saw rebirth of ideological desire for change, growth of democratization.
Chapter 3 - "If any single nation could reasonably be said to be its crucible, it has to be England...If we look to England for the origins of the Enlightenment, it is to France that we go for its pioneering edge...Les philosophes, for many, define the Enlightenment." America more conservative and only made its presence felt during revolutionary era. FOCUS ON LISBON EARTHQUAKE AS A TURNING POINT.
Chapter 4 - Author identifies Descartes, Bacon, Hobbes, Locke, and a few select others as early acolytes for what would ultimately be called Enlightenment thought.
Chapter 5 - "Philosophy was the growth industry of the time...in particular in the key areas of metaphysics, knowledge and psychology. These ideas, abstract as they are, soon fed into the area of politics, where Enlightenment thought really excels...Metaphysical questions -- what is the nature of the world? -- were a preoccupation of the seventeenth century, and it was in this respect perhaps more than any other that Enlightenment thought drew on its antecedents."
Chapter 6 - Enlightenment shaped by theological disputes. "First, the intellectual competition spurred concentration on education, argument, and the development of young minds. Seconldy, the religious wars that followed led to weariness with bloodshed, and the growth of tolerance as an ideal." Cradle in England and Holland meant emphasis on trade, Protestant tolerance. Favored growing middle class over monarchy, aristocracy. Private property. Voltaire's views of liberty, Montesquieu's. Comparison between Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Book discusses new economic ideas: mercantilism, capitalism. The nature of conservative Enlightenment thought, particularly in America. Everyone's views on the state of nature. Unprogressive views of gender, race. "The first half of the Enlightenment was an Age of Kings, kings who were inward-looking and conventionally inclined to pursue personal and national aggrandisement, but the second half was the Age of the Benevolent Despot, who supported Enlightenment and wished to implement it." Discussion of Enlightenment response to American, French revolutions.
Start on page 109
Chapter 2 - Author sees Enlightenment beginning in 1688 (Glorious Revolution) and ending in 1789 (French Revolution). The former demonstrating the value of reasoned thought and the latter demonstrating its limits. Sees there being three phases: 1688-1740 or 1750. Dominated by traditional forms of government, Church remained strong and the Enlightenment spirit was concentrated in the middle classes. A middle phase from about 1750 to American Revolution skepticism of Enlightened thinkers turned toward Enlightenment ideals. Important event prompting this development was a major earthquake in Lisbon which highlighted limits of Enlightened leadership and called into question the presence of a benevolent God. During this phase, revival of religious enthusiasm. Ruling class absorbed some ideas of Enlightenment as exemplified by Frederick of Prussia, Catherine of Russia, and Joseph of Austria. Final phase from 1780 on saw rebirth of ideological desire for change, growth of democratization.
Chapter 3 - "If any single nation could reasonably be said to be its crucible, it has to be England...If we look to England for the origins of the Enlightenment, it is to France that we go for its pioneering edge...Les philosophes, for many, define the Enlightenment." America more conservative and only made its presence felt during revolutionary era. FOCUS ON LISBON EARTHQUAKE AS A TURNING POINT.
Chapter 4 - Author identifies Descartes, Bacon, Hobbes, Locke, and a few select others as early acolytes for what would ultimately be called Enlightenment thought.
Chapter 5 - "Philosophy was the growth industry of the time...in particular in the key areas of metaphysics, knowledge and psychology. These ideas, abstract as they are, soon fed into the area of politics, where Enlightenment thought really excels...Metaphysical questions -- what is the nature of the world? -- were a preoccupation of the seventeenth century, and it was in this respect perhaps more than any other that Enlightenment thought drew on its antecedents."
Chapter 6 - Enlightenment shaped by theological disputes. "First, the intellectual competition spurred concentration on education, argument, and the development of young minds. Seconldy, the religious wars that followed led to weariness with bloodshed, and the growth of tolerance as an ideal." Cradle in England and Holland meant emphasis on trade, Protestant tolerance. Favored growing middle class over monarchy, aristocracy. Private property. Voltaire's views of liberty, Montesquieu's. Comparison between Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Book discusses new economic ideas: mercantilism, capitalism. The nature of conservative Enlightenment thought, particularly in America. Everyone's views on the state of nature. Unprogressive views of gender, race. "The first half of the Enlightenment was an Age of Kings, kings who were inward-looking and conventionally inclined to pursue personal and national aggrandisement, but the second half was the Age of the Benevolent Despot, who supported Enlightenment and wished to implement it." Discussion of Enlightenment response to American, French revolutions.
Start on page 109
July 11, 2014
Great overview of the Enlightenment but it reads like a textbook.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews