Introduction
Diderot's Encyclopedia (1755) plays a significant role in creating a broader understanding of the relationship between the state and Catholic Church in France before, during and after the "Age of Enlightenment". As such, it is important to explore the role of different sources and text in understanding this period as well as having insights into the ideas they reflect and the lessons that can be learned about the cultures highlighted.
Role of Sources in Lending to the Depth of Understanding of the Period
The sources present different perspectives towards elaborating the historical events of the Diderot's encyclopedia and his role in threatening the French State along with the Catholic Church. The sources provide different but more elaborate versions of descriptions of the historical events associated with “Age of Enlightenment". Furthermore, the sources attempt to create a deeper understanding of the period described as the "Age of Enlightenment" by addressing some of the challenges encountered by most workers of western civilization 1 . In this regard, the sources go to the extent of demonstrating the manner in which the western culture was facing evolving entities during this period. Such evolutions were largely determined and influenced by global events in the sense that there was a dynamic interaction of economic, cultural, political and social events during this period.
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Another perspective presented through these sources in relation to the manner in which Diderot threatened French State along with The Catholic Church during the "Age of Enlightenment" reveals some of the critical routes followed by global development. The narrative surrounding the works of Diderot during the age of enlightenment gives important insights into the major events as well as people and activities at specific times. Such insights make it easier and to understand the roadmap of the entire period. Moreover, the sources play a critical role in aiding readers and learners in appreciating the essence and significance of the western history and its impact on Diderot's Encyclopedia on one hand as well as France and the Catholic Church on the other hand.
Additionally, a clearer understanding of the period characterized by Diderot's involvement and the role he played during the age of enlightenment is obtained through the efforts made by the sources in explaining the various aspects of the scientific revolution. These include the philosophical and intellectual perspectives around most global ideas that were being discussed across the globe during the eighteenth century. The information provided in these sources cover different aspects of theology that were used by Diderot and his associates to come up with key principles towards intellectual enlightenment and the movements that challenged the doctrines of the Catholic Church during this period 2 . Further, Diderot’s encyclopedia outlines the information and structure that was necessary for pursuing the principles that seemed to agree with the requirements and expectations of the period characterized by the “Age of Enlightenment". In order to increase the depth of understanding regarding this period, the Diderot’s encyclopedia also presents a collection of the knowledge that was initially scattered and comes up with facts that agreed with philosophical and scientific reasoning 3 .
Reflected Ideas
In this case, various ideas are reflected through the sources under consideration. Such ideas revolve around the voice of reason, which happens to be a fundamental focus when it comes to the role of power, authority, and legitimacy of different processes. Other ideas that are advanced through the account presented by the sources regarding the period during which enlightenment took place include tolerance, liberty, economic growth, and development as well as adherence to constitutional means of governing. As such, there ought to be a clear separation of role and functions undertaken by the state and the church through the Constitution. In France, for instance, there was the main doctrine whose focus was religious tolerance and individual liberty as a way of expressing dissatisfaction towards the operation of activities associated with absolute monarchies. Ideally, such initiatives would go to the extent of addressing the issues and concerns rising from the dogmas linked to the Roman Catholic Church. The age of enlightenment would also be described through placing the necessary focus towards some scientific techniques as well as reductionism together with the idea of coming up with reasonable and valid concerns about the attitude of religious orthodoxy.
Thinkers who were enlightened following different perspectives brought about during the "Age of Enlightenment" across Europe and particularly France were opted to support the modernization of the system of education and the manner in which new ideas would be transmitted and disseminated from one generation to another. To this extent, the modernization ideas reflected through the texts in the sources under consideration contributed significantly to the enhancement and upgrading of systems of education across Europe during the enlightenment period as well as that of the French revolution. As part of the reflected ideas, the information in the text provided by these sources and particularly the Diderot's encyclopedia during the period marked by enlightenment through modern and new ideas endeavored to create a philosophical century. In this case, the dispensation of enlightenment would see the introduction of the scientific concept and philosophical principles that would increase the knowledge of human kind regarding various issues. Moreover, it would be necessary to have an extensive examination, investigation, and discussion about virtually all things that matter during this period.
What we Learn About the Culture that Produced this Text
Various lessons could be acquired in relation to the perspective of culture as presented through the text under consideration. To that extent, it is worth noting that the “Age of Enlightenment” became a dominant phenomenon across Europe between the sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries thus influencing the religious culture among others. The religious culture, as produced in this text, was faced with several challenges associated with the authority and dogma of the Roman Catholic Church. These cultural challenges took place through the role played by the state in increasingly coming up with initiatives that were leaning towards scientific ideas and methods contrary to what the church preferred. The other lesson learned is the difficulty associated with the introduction of new ideas to traditional and cultural ways of thinking 4 . In this regard, the thinkers rising from embracing the various perspectives presented during the age of enlightenment have the tendency of pushing for the establishment of modern systems that may contradict cultural principles.
Another dimension of culture introduced through this text is that of changing roles and positions occupied by both genders. The idea of embracing the “Age of Enlightenment” and its principles saw considerable changes happening to the cultural norm that had previously encouraged the informal education of girls and young women in homes as opposed to the school 5 . However, it is worth learning that this culture was increasingly rendered meaningless following the emergence of new enlightened thinkers who influenced the increasing number of girls seeking formal education in schools. Effectively, this implies that the traditional roles played by women without formal education changed and they began taking up roles new roles.
Conclusion
In summing up, the sources examined to reveal that Diderot played a critical role in advancing the interest of the state in France. Some of these interests were contradictory to the principles and doctrines embraced by the Catholic Church. However, the resilience demonstrated by the new and modernized ideas of the “Age of Enlightenment” largely influenced cultural change during this period.
Bibliography
Hunt, Lynn, Martin, Thomas R., Rosenwein, Barbara H., and Smith, Bonnie G. Making
of the West. Bedford/st Martins, 2012.
Margaret C. Jacob. The Enlightenment: A Brief History with Documents . Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001.
1 Margaret C. Jacob, The Enlightenment: A Brief History with Documents (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001), 23.
2 Margaret C. Jacob, The Enlightenment: A Brief History with Documents (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001), 23.
3 Hunt, Lynn, Martin, Thomas R., Rosenwein, Barbara H., and Smith, Bonnie G, Making of the West (Bedford/st Martins, 2012), 33.
4 Hunt, Lynn, Martin, Thomas R., Rosenwein, Barbara H., and Smith, Bonnie G, Making of the West (Bedford/st Martins, 2012), 33.
5 Margaret C. Jacob, The Enlightenment: A Brief History with Documents (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001), 23.
