Francis Bacon

Rene Descartes

The Constitution and Declaration of Independence
 

Time of Illumination: The Enlightenment

               Superstitious and ignorant ideas hindered Europeans and early American colonists to "think outside the box." During the mid 1600s and 1700s the human ability to reason finally broke through in what is known as the Enlightenment, Age of Reason or Time of Illumination. In this important period in the history of western civilization, scholars, writers and scientists used rational thought to replace the irrational ideas of humanity. The Enlightenment led to improvements in math and science and the belief in basic human rights and a democracy. The founding fathers of the Enlightenment were Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes. Bright individuals as they were, published books that inspired scientists such as Isaac Newton and Robert Hook.
               Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes strongly believed that science was essential to get rid of ignorance. Francis Bacon promoted experimentation and conclusions based on experimentations. Descartes reasoned that math and reasoning was all that was needed for science. During the Age of Reason, the scientific method was developed as well as major discoveries in chemistry, physics, biology and electricity. From Bacon and Descartes, Isaac Newton was able to derive ideas of calculus, laws of gravity and laws of motion. In addition, Anton van Leuwenhook and Robert Hook developed experiments in biology and microscopic organisms.
               As well as science, the Enlightenment focused on ideas of the mind and political subjects. One of the great philosophers of the time was John Locke (1632-1704). Locke believed the people should choose who governs and that some of the basic rights of humans were life, liberty, ownership of property, freedom of press, religious tolerance and education reform. These ideas shaped revolutions in both America and France and led to the creation of two important documents: the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Other great thinkers include the French philosopher Voltaire that emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers and that has influenced America's form of government as the separation of legislative, executive and judicial branches.