“If the [Catholic clergy], so long paid and honored for abusing the human species, ordered us today to believe that...the world is immovable on its foundations,... that the tides are not a natural effect of gravitation, that the rainbow is not formed by the refraction and the reflection of rays of light, and so on, and if they based their [arguments] on passages poorly understood from the Holy Bible, how would educated men regard these commands? And if they used force and persecution to enforce their insolent stupidity, would the term ‘wild beasts’ seem too extreme [to describe them]?...This little globe of ours, which is no more than a point, rolls, together with many other globes, in that immensity of space in which we are lost. Man, who is an animal about five feet high, is certainly a very inconsiderable part of the creation; but one of those hardly visible beings says to another of the same kind who inhabits another spot on the globe: ‘Listen to me, for the God of all these worlds has enlightened me. There are about nine hundred millions of us little insects who inhabit the earth, but my ant-hill alone is cherished by God who holds all the rest in horror for all eternity; those who live with me upon my spot will alone be happy, and all the rest eternally wretched.’ . . . What madman could have made so ridiculous a speech?”Voltaire, A Treatise on Toleration, 1763QuestionThe ideas expressed in the passage best illustrate which of the following about Enlightenment intellectuals?ResponsesSome of them believed that the discoveries of new science warranted new approaches to social and cultural issues.Some of them believed that the discoveries of new science warranted new approaches to social and cultural issues.Some of them were accomplished scientists in their own right who made important discoveries.Some of them were accomplished scientists in their own right who made important discoveries.Some of them relied on new venues for spreading their ideas, such as salons and mass-produced inexpensive pamphlets.Some of them relied on new venues for spreading their ideas, such as salons and mass-produced inexpensive pamphlets.Some of them rejected religious belief altogether and turned to atheism.
Question
“If the [Catholic clergy], so long paid and honored for abusing the human species, ordered us today to believe that...the world is immovable on its foundations,... that the tides are not a natural effect of gravitation, that the rainbow is not formed by the refraction and the reflection of rays of light, and so on, and if they based their [arguments] on passages poorly understood from the Holy Bible, how would educated men regard these commands? And if they used force and persecution to enforce their insolent stupidity, would the term ‘wild beasts’ seem too extreme [to describe them]?...This little globe of ours, which is no more than a point, rolls, together with many other globes, in that immensity of space in which we are lost. Man, who is an animal about five feet high, is certainly a very inconsiderable part of the creation; but one of those hardly visible beings says to another of the same kind who inhabits another spot on the globe: ‘Listen to me, for the God of all these worlds has enlightened me. There are about nine hundred millions of us little insects who inhabit the earth, but my ant-hill alone is cherished by God who holds all the rest in horror for all eternity; those who live with me upon my spot will alone be happy, and all the rest eternally wretched.’ . . . What madman could have made so ridiculous a speech?”Voltaire, A Treatise on Toleration, 1763QuestionThe ideas expressed in the passage best illustrate which of the following about Enlightenment intellectuals?ResponsesSome of them believed that the discoveries of new science warranted new approaches to social and cultural issues.Some of them believed that the discoveries of new science warranted new approaches to social and cultural issues.Some of them were accomplished scientists in their own right who made important discoveries.Some of them were accomplished scientists in their own right who made important discoveries.Some of them relied on new venues for spreading their ideas, such as salons and mass-produced inexpensive pamphlets.Some of them relied on new venues for spreading their ideas, such as salons and mass-produced inexpensive pamphlets.Some of them rejected religious belief altogether and turned to atheism.
Solution
The ideas expressed in the passage best illustrate that some Enlightenment intellectuals believed that the discoveries of new science warranted new approaches to social and cultural issues.
Voltaire, the author of the passage, was a prominent figure during the Enlightenment period. He was known for his advocacy of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state. In this passage, he criticizes the Catholic clergy for their refusal to accept scientific discoveries and their insistence on interpreting the Bible literally. He argues that such an approach is not only unscientific but also leads to intolerance and persecution.
Voltaire's argument reflects a broader trend among Enlightenment intellectuals. Many of them believed that the discoveries of new science – such as the heliocentric model of the solar system, the laws of physics, and the theory of evolution – warranted new approaches to social and cultural issues. They argued that these discoveries challenged traditional religious beliefs and therefore required a reevaluation of social and cultural norms.
This does not mean that all Enlightenment intellectuals rejected religious belief altogether. Some of them, like Voltaire, were deists who believed in a God but rejected organized religion. Others were atheists who did not believe in a God at all. However, what they all had in common was a belief in the power of reason and science to improve society and a rejection of dogma and superstition.
In addition to their intellectual contributions, many Enlightenment intellectuals were also accomplished scientists in their own right. They made important discoveries in fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy. These discoveries not only advanced scientific knowledge but also had profound implications for society and culture.
Finally, Enlightenment intellectuals relied on new venues for spreading their ideas. They used salons, public lectures, and mass-produced inexpensive pamphlets to reach a wider audience. This allowed them to engage with the public in a way that was not possible before, and it played a crucial role in spreading Enlightenment ideas and values.
Similar Questions
The next questions refer to the passage below.“If the [Catholic clergy], so long paid and honored for abusing the human species, ordered us today to believe that...the world is immovable on its foundations,... that the tides are not a natural effect of gravitation, that the rainbow is not formed by the refraction and the reflection of rays of light, and so on, and if they based their [arguments] on passages poorly understood from the Holy Bible, how would educated men regard these commands? And if they used force and persecution to enforce their insolent stupidity, would the term ‘wild beasts’ seem too extreme [to describe them]?...This little globe of ours, which is no more than a point, rolls, together with many other globes, in that immensity of space in which we are lost. Man, who is an animal about five feet high, is certainly a very inconsiderable part of the creation; but one of those hardly visible beings says to another of the same kind who inhabits another spot on the globe: ‘Listen to me, for the God of all these worlds has enlightened me. There are about nine hundred millions of us little insects who inhabit the earth, but my ant-hill alone is cherished by God who holds all the rest in horror for all eternity; those who live with me upon my spot will alone be happy, and all the rest eternally wretched.’ . . . What madman could have made so ridiculous a speech?”Voltaire, A Treatise on Toleration, 1763QuestionIn addition to being informed by general principles, Voltaire’s concern with promoting religious toleration was primarily relevant to supporters of the Enlightenment in eighteenth-century France becauseResponsesthe refusal of French monarchs to convene the Estates-General after 1614 had meant that the French people had no effective representation in setting government policythe refusal of French monarchs to convene the Estates-General after 1614 had meant that the French people had no effective representation in setting government policythe revocation of the Edict of Nantes by King Louis XIV in 1685 had led to the persecution of members of the Protestant minoritythe revocation of the Edict of Nantes by King Louis XIV in 1685 had led to the persecution of members of the Protestant minoritythe failure of Diderot and d’Alembert to include religion in the scope of the Encyclopédie had provoked criticism of their work by members of the French clergythe failure of Diderot and d’Alembert to include religion in the scope of the Encyclopédie had provoked criticism of their work by members of the French clergyFrance’s large Jewish population remained deprived of citizenship and civil rights
How does Pope Francis’ explanation of the correct interpretation of Gen. 1:28 (about humans having “dominion” over the earth) help clarify our role in caring for the earth and its creatures?List down as many ways we can improve our human activities to take care of our Earth and its water creatures such as the Orca whales?
3. What might we find so compelling about beastliness or monstrosity?
Question 6 of 17Which excerpt from Frankenstein most clearly portrays nature as uncontrollable?A."Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in which you first saw light! Cursed (although I curse myself) be the hands that formed you! You have made me wretched beyond expression."B.The storm appeared to approach rapidly. . . . It advanced; the heavens were clouded, and I soon felt the rain coming slowly in large drops, but its violence quickly increased. . . .. . . The darkness and storm increased every minute, and the thunder burst with a terrific crash over my head. . . . Vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire.C.When I awoke I found that the sun had already mounted considerably. The wind was high, and the waves continually threatened the safety of my little skiff. I found that the wind was northeast and must have driven me far from the coast from which I had embarked.D.As the day was fair, and the wind favorable, we resolved to go by water. . . .. . . We passed rapidly along: the sun was hot, but we were sheltered from its rays by a kind of canopy, while we enjoyed the beauty of the scene.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
Question 3 of 10Read this passage from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein:[W]hen I awoke I found that the sun had already mounted considerably. The wind was high, and the waves continually threatened the safety of my little skiff. I found that the wind was northeast and must have driven me far from the coast from which I had embarked (243).How is nature most clearly portrayed in this passage?A.As a cruel tricksterB.As an angry childC.As a strict parentD.As a bothersome guestSUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.