The Enlightenment Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
What was the Enlightenment, and why did it have that name, and what did Enlightenment
thinkers believe? ✔✔The enlightenment was a time in the 1700's in Europe when people began
to question old ideas and search for knowledge. The name Enlightenment refers to the light of
knowledge that supposedly replaces the darkness of superstition and ignorance. Enlightenment
thinkers believed that science and reason could improve people's lives.
What part of the world did the Enlightenment begin? ✔✔Europe
Which groups of people played the greatest role in the Enlightenment? ✔✔Scientists and
scholars
Compare and contrast the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. How were they similar? How did
they differ? ✔✔Both reacted against the medieval period, with its reliance on authorities such as
church and king. Renaissance thinkers looked mainly to the literature and arts of ancient Greece
and Rome for ideas and answers. Enlightenment thinkers turned to science and reason. They did
build on the work of some Renaissance scientists, such as Copernicus and Galileo.
, Who was Isaac Newton? What was the main idea in Newton's Principia? ✔✔He was one of the
greatest scientists in history. Certain basic laws of nature were true for the whole physical world.
These laws could be discovered through observation and reason.
How did Newton's work in science influence thinking in other areas of life? ✔✔His work
encouraged people not to accept ideas on faith but to question and search for answers.
What one thing was Descartes certain of? ✔✔His thoughts were his own, and they proved his
existence.
Why did Descartes choose to live in Holland for much of his life? ✔✔Holland allowed more
freedom of thought and expression than other European countries.
How did Descartes change the way people thought about their world? ✔✔He showed people
how to use observation and reason to find truths, rather than accepting them on faith alone. He
encouraged people to question everything expect their own existence.
Why do we call Descartes the father of modern philosophy? ✔✔He introduced a new way of
thinking about what we know and how we know it. He insisted on using reason.
Answers 100% Pass
What was the Enlightenment, and why did it have that name, and what did Enlightenment
thinkers believe? ✔✔The enlightenment was a time in the 1700's in Europe when people began
to question old ideas and search for knowledge. The name Enlightenment refers to the light of
knowledge that supposedly replaces the darkness of superstition and ignorance. Enlightenment
thinkers believed that science and reason could improve people's lives.
What part of the world did the Enlightenment begin? ✔✔Europe
Which groups of people played the greatest role in the Enlightenment? ✔✔Scientists and
scholars
Compare and contrast the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. How were they similar? How did
they differ? ✔✔Both reacted against the medieval period, with its reliance on authorities such as
church and king. Renaissance thinkers looked mainly to the literature and arts of ancient Greece
and Rome for ideas and answers. Enlightenment thinkers turned to science and reason. They did
build on the work of some Renaissance scientists, such as Copernicus and Galileo.
, Who was Isaac Newton? What was the main idea in Newton's Principia? ✔✔He was one of the
greatest scientists in history. Certain basic laws of nature were true for the whole physical world.
These laws could be discovered through observation and reason.
How did Newton's work in science influence thinking in other areas of life? ✔✔His work
encouraged people not to accept ideas on faith but to question and search for answers.
What one thing was Descartes certain of? ✔✔His thoughts were his own, and they proved his
existence.
Why did Descartes choose to live in Holland for much of his life? ✔✔Holland allowed more
freedom of thought and expression than other European countries.
How did Descartes change the way people thought about their world? ✔✔He showed people
how to use observation and reason to find truths, rather than accepting them on faith alone. He
encouraged people to question everything expect their own existence.
Why do we call Descartes the father of modern philosophy? ✔✔He introduced a new way of
thinking about what we know and how we know it. He insisted on using reason.
