Significance of the Enlightenment in the Development of the Scientific Method of Inquiry
Significance of the Enlightenment in the development of the scientific method of inquiry
The Enlightenment, Siècle des Lumières in French, usually referred to a series of ideology and culture movements during 1750s-1850s. There were many spheres of knowledge contained in these movements, such as: natural science, philosophy, ethics, politics, economics, literature and education. However, the Enlightenment did not originate from France; it was the extension of the Renaissance in Italy in the 14th century. The Europe Enlightenment first took place in Britain in 17th century, and then spread to the whole European continent. (Gribbin, 2002, p. 241)Since the Enlightenment in France had the most impressive momentum and most powerful influence, France was regarded as the center of the Europe Enlightenment naturally.
Since the first day that the Enlightenment occurred, many definitions have been made about it. The Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn defined the enlightenment as an uncompleted educational process in the use of reason, which should be open to everyone. (Outram, 2005, p.1) Immanuel Kant, the Prussian philosopher, wrote to Berlinische Monatsschrift that the Enlightenment is ‘man’s release from his self-incurred immaturity’ through the use of reason and without guidance from others. And the ancient motto, ‘Sapere aude!’ was also proclaimed by Kant to describe the essence of the Enlightenment, Dare to know. (Outram, 2005, p.1)
The original meaning for the French word ‘Lumières’ is luminosity or brightness. The pioneers of the Enlightenment believed that the period before the Enlightenment was the Dark Age, which was totally filled with traditional dogma, irrational, blind beliefs and despotism (Creyerz,2007). Therefore, it was necessary to dispel the Darkness with the light of ration and to illuminate the bright future for the public. During this period, ‘natural philosophy’ began to shake the firm foundation of traditional religion and belief. The
The Enlightenment, Siècle des Lumières in French, usually referred to a series of ideology and culture movements during 1750s-1850s. There were many spheres of knowledge contained in these movements, such as: natural science, philosophy, ethics, politics, economics, literature and education. However, the Enlightenment did not originate from France; it was the extension of the Renaissance in Italy in the 14th century. The Europe Enlightenment first took place in Britain in 17th century, and then spread to the whole European continent. (Gribbin, 2002, p. 241)Since the Enlightenment in France had the most impressive momentum and most powerful influence, France was regarded as the center of the Europe Enlightenment naturally.
Since the first day that the Enlightenment occurred, many definitions have been made about it. The Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn defined the enlightenment as an uncompleted educational process in the use of reason, which should be open to everyone. (Outram, 2005, p.1) Immanuel Kant, the Prussian philosopher, wrote to Berlinische Monatsschrift that the Enlightenment is ‘man’s release from his self-incurred immaturity’ through the use of reason and without guidance from others. And the ancient motto, ‘Sapere aude!’ was also proclaimed by Kant to describe the essence of the Enlightenment, Dare to know. (Outram, 2005, p.1)
The original meaning for the French word ‘Lumières’ is luminosity or brightness. The pioneers of the Enlightenment believed that the period before the Enlightenment was the Dark Age, which was totally filled with traditional dogma, irrational, blind beliefs and despotism (Creyerz,2007). Therefore, it was necessary to dispel the Darkness with the light of ration and to illuminate the bright future for the public. During this period, ‘natural philosophy’ began to shake the firm foundation of traditional religion and belief. The