Talk:European History/Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment

Possible Paths To Rewriting This Chapter
The Enlightenment is a difficult subject to deal with. Unlike Communism or Darwinism it doesn't have a core set of beliefs starting from a central point. It is an "umbrella" term that covers a wide range of areas. There is the Scottish Enlightenment, the Letters of Voltaire, Descartes work, etc. It also covers a lot of the science, art and music of the time which the previous authors have already alluded to. It is a movement based around intellectualism and investigation through reason or science. Its been a while since I've read the letters of Voltaire and Descartes is slightly before the Enlightenment (though I think he should be mentioned especially in regards to his view of how we "reason").

I've removed the term "Enlightened Despot" - even though this is a common term in reference to absolute monarchy with enlightened views I think the word despot can be applied to such people as Pol Pot, Stalin, Mao, etc. Its probably one of those words that had a narrower application when first applied and was taken to mean absolute (maybe tyrannical) monarchy but a "good" word will usually find wider application. I do sometimes think that the Encyclopedia Britannica is written by a bunch of Victorian Ghosts resurrected for the purpose by bored English scientists during the Cold War.

I'll try to rewrite this chapter after a bit of reading of the source materials. Always better to read Descartes or Voltaire rather than reading "about" them. When my eyesight fails through this endeavour I expect Wikipedia to pay for the laser treatment or at least buy me a new pair of glasses.

If anyone disagrees then feel free to undo my edits.

Sluffs (discuss • contribs) 23:33, 25 September 2012 (UTC)