The Enlightenment (Age of Reason) was a revolution in thought in Europe and North America from the late 17th century to the late 18th century. The Enlightenment involved new approaches in philosophy, science, and politics. Above all, the human capacity for reason was championed as the tool by which our knowledge could be extended, individual liberty maintained, and happiness secured.
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Definition
Timeline
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1605Francis Bacon publishes The Advancement of Learning, the first in a series of works expounding his scientific method.
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1620Francis Bacon publishes Novum Organum, outlining the fundamentals of his scientific method.
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1623Francis Bacon publishes his De Dignitate et Augmentis Scientiarum, which further outlines his new scientific method.
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1626New Atlantis by Francis Bacon is published. It describes a utopian state where Bacon's scientific method is employed.
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1637Philosopher René Descartes writes his Discourse on the Method.
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1641Philosopher René Descartes writes his Meditations, a discussion of his Cartesian theory and God's existence.
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1644Philosopher René Descartes writes his Principles of Philosophy, an examination of the relationship between the body and soul.
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1651Thomas Hobbes publishes his Leviathan.
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1677Ethics by Baruch Spinoza is published.
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1686Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz publishes his Discourse of Metaphysics.
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1687Isaac Newton publishes his laws of motion and universal law of gravity in Principia.
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1689John Locke publishes his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Two Treatises on Government, and Letters on Toleration.
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1710George Berkeley publishes A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.
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1713George Berkeley publishes Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous.
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1721Montesquieu publishes his Lettres persanes (Persian Letters).
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1726Francis Hutcheson coins the term "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" in his Inquiry Concerning Moral Good and Evil.
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1734Voltaire publishes his Letters on England.
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1740David Hume publishes his A Treatise of Human Nature.
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1748David Hume publishes his An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.
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1748Montesquieu publishes his The Spirit of the Laws where he outlines his separation of powers.
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1750Jean-Jacques Rousseau publishes his First Discourse.
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1751The monumental Encyclopedia, edited by Denis Diderot, is published.
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1751David Hume publishes his An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.
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1751The Catholic Church adds Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws to the Index of Forbidden Books.
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1755Jean-Jacques Rousseau publishes his Second Discourse.
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1756Voltaire publishes his Essay on the Manners and Spirit of Nations.
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1757David Hume publishes his Dissertation on the Passions.
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1759Voltaire publishes his Candide.
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1759Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments is published.
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1759 - 1797Life of the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.
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1762Voltaire publishes his Treatise on Tolerance.
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1762Jean-Jacques Rousseau publishes The Social Contract.
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1762Jean-Jacques Rousseau publishes his treatise on education Émile.
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1764Voltaire publishes his Philosophical Dictionary.
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1766Voltaire publishes his Ignorant Philosopher.
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1773 - 1774Denis Diderot spends five months advising Catherine the Great.
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1776Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations is published.
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1776 - 1788Edward Gibbon publishes his The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
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1781Immanuel Kant publishes The Critique of Pure Reason.
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1788Immanuel Kant publishes The Critique of Practical Reason.
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1789Jeremy Bentham publishes his thoughts on utilitarianism in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
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1790Edmund Burke publishes his Reflections on the Revolution in France.
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1791Thomas Paine publishes his Rights of Man part 1.
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1792Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is published.
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1792Thomas Paine publishes his Rights of Man part 2.
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1794Thomas Paine publishes his Age of Reason part 1.
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1795Thomas Paine publishes his Age of Reason part 2.
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1796Thomas Paine publishes his Agrarian Justice.
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1821Rameau’s Nephew by Denis Diderot is first published.
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1830D’Alembert’s Dream by Denis Diderot is first published.
