Western Civilization II
Assignment 3: Intellectual in Paris during the Enlightenment
Dear Henri,
These are wild, thrilling times in the city of Paris. I hope that life flourishing for you in Marseille. It is as if all of our dreams for society—back when we were young men discussing the ways of the world in the small way that we understood it—have suddenly been deeply digested and written down. (Which is not to say that we had anything near the knowledge of the world that some people are attempting to condense into the encyclopedia.) (Kishlansky p.653) The world of the mind is endlessly interesting to the people of Paris.
The only troubling aspect of it, in my view, is the way in which many important ideas are being simplified to be appealing to the masses. (Kishlansky p. 652) The entire culture of salons revolves around making the discussion of ideas accessible and fun, which is excellent for the livelihoods of intellectuals, but which has the simultaneous impact of cheapening the ideas. (Kishlansky p. 652) Why? Because often salon attendees include the very rich and the very corrupt. What impact can ideas have when they are being preached to people who are not inherently interested in the world of thoughts? As Kant said, “Have the courage to use your own intelligence!” (Kishlansky p. 653) I wonder, frequently, what percentage of men at salons have this courage.
Also troubling is the extent to which some of the main philosophes seem at odds with each other. (Sherman p. 68) While they all seem to agree that the status quo is to be violently opposed, they seem content to attack it in different ways. They propose to battle the same problems with wildly different tactics. Meanwhile, the lives of women and the poor have enjoyed no great change in the face of all these ideas. (Sherman, p. 70, Kishlansky, p. 671) How can we honestly believe that ideas are the path to enlightenment when the poor are struggling to survive and the population is swelling? (Kishlansky p. 671, 674) It is very easy to drink, discuss ideas, and think that the discussion will enact great changes. The reality is far more disturbing.
Still, I temper these feelings with other realities: literacy is enjoying a great revival in this city. Even some women are learning to read, an act which no doubt makes them better wives and better contributors to society. This will, hopefully, lead to better education for children as well. (Kishlansky, p. 681) Also, the popularity of lending libraries is heartening. So perhaps we are not doomed to have our ideas once again fall silent. Perhaps they will one day have an impact on the world in the way that they should.
Henri perhaps I am being too critical. But isn’t being critical what this age is all about? Perhaps I should examine my own willingness to readily accept the ideas of the enlightenment as good and right. Perhaps I am as foolish as Christians who believe, without question, that the word of the priest is the word of God. Perhaps I need to examine my own beliefs as critically. Anyway, I am thrilled that the world has headed in this direction, and I hope that your world is being impacted as dramatically. Write to me soon! I long to hear about these things from your perspective.
Your loyal brother,
Jean-Paul
Dear Henri,
These are wild, thrilling times in the city of Paris. I hope that life flourishing for you in Marseille. It is as if all of our dreams for society—back when we were young men discussing the ways of the world in the small way that we understood it—have suddenly been deeply digested and written down. (Which is not to say that we had anything near the knowledge of the world that some people are attempting to condense into the encyclopedia.) (Kishlansky p.653) The world of the mind is endlessly interesting to the people of Paris.
The only troubling aspect of it, in my view, is the way in which many important ideas are being simplified to be appealing to the masses. (Kishlansky p. 652) The entire culture of salons revolves around making the discussion of ideas accessible and fun, which is excellent for the livelihoods of intellectuals, but which has the simultaneous impact of cheapening the ideas. (Kishlansky p. 652) Why? Because often salon attendees include the very rich and the very corrupt. What impact can ideas have when they are being preached to people who are not inherently interested in the world of thoughts? As Kant said, “Have the courage to use your own intelligence!” (Kishlansky p. 653) I wonder, frequently, what percentage of men at salons have this courage.
Also troubling is the extent to which some of the main philosophes seem at odds with each other. (Sherman p. 68) While they all seem to agree that the status quo is to be violently opposed, they seem content to attack it in different ways. They propose to battle the same problems with wildly different tactics. Meanwhile, the lives of women and the poor have enjoyed no great change in the face of all these ideas. (Sherman, p. 70, Kishlansky, p. 671) How can we honestly believe that ideas are the path to enlightenment when the poor are struggling to survive and the population is swelling? (Kishlansky p. 671, 674) It is very easy to drink, discuss ideas, and think that the discussion will enact great changes. The reality is far more disturbing.
Still, I temper these feelings with other realities: literacy is enjoying a great revival in this city. Even some women are learning to read, an act which no doubt makes them better wives and better contributors to society. This will, hopefully, lead to better education for children as well. (Kishlansky, p. 681) Also, the popularity of lending libraries is heartening. So perhaps we are not doomed to have our ideas once again fall silent. Perhaps they will one day have an impact on the world in the way that they should.
Henri perhaps I am being too critical. But isn’t being critical what this age is all about? Perhaps I should examine my own willingness to readily accept the ideas of the enlightenment as good and right. Perhaps I am as foolish as Christians who believe, without question, that the word of the priest is the word of God. Perhaps I need to examine my own beliefs as critically. Anyway, I am thrilled that the world has headed in this direction, and I hope that your world is being impacted as dramatically. Write to me soon! I long to hear about these things from your perspective.
Your loyal brother,
Jean-Paul
posted by Beverly Writer at 7/22/2005
2 Comments:
Where is this from, please?
A response paper I wrote for J.C.'s Western Civilization class.
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