Literature of the Enlightenment with George Moore

For the educated elite of Europe, the Enlightenment Era (also known as the Age of Reason) was a hugely creative and exciting period. The urge to question received verities and authority produced a plethora of ideas, government, the unity of mankind, indeed on almost every aspect of human life. We might argue that the Age of Enlightenment culminated in the creation of the United States and the development of the French Revolution. But it is not clear that these ideas profoundly influence the modern world. Let us delve into some of the more interesting authors of this period. The texts below are readily available in libraries, bookstores and online: Rene Descartes Discourses on Method and Meditations on the First Philosophy translation by John Veitch, Barnes and Noble. Voltaire Candide translated by Henry Morely, Barnes and Noble. Caron de Beaumarchaise The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro Translated by John Wood, Penguin Classics Robert Burns Poems Everyman Library Edmund Burke Reflections on the Revolution in France Prometheus Books The advantage of using these texts is ease of reference. You may read all of the texts, part or none. I have tried to limit the suggested reading to be about 100 pages a week--more or less. Discussion will center on those parts of each work listed below. Whatever the case, there are no requirements for this course of study, so clearly you will get out of it what you put in. February 12: Introduction and some disclaimers. Please try to read Discourses on Method and on the choice of reading (1) A word about translation and on the choice of reading (2) The Enlightenment and Descartes' role in it (3) What troubled Descartes and what did he do about it? (4) How did he justify the existence of God? (5) Candide February 19: Voltaire Candide (1) What word or words, would you use to describe this work? (2) What was Voltaire's purpose in writing this book? (3) If he exaggerated, were the exaggerations suited to his purpose? (4) What image of Europe emerges from this work? Is it fair image? (5) The Marriage of Figaro February 26: Beaumarchaise The Marriage of Figaro (1) Is Figaro a comedy? How so? Is it more than a comedy? (2) To what extent is Figaro a reflection of its times? (3) Does Beaumarchaise approve of his times? Does he reflect changes in the world around him? (4) Why did he have so much trouble with the censors? (5) Reflections on the Revolution in France March 5: Edmund Burke Reflections on the Revolution in France. Try to get a sense of Burke's reflections. I know it's a big chunk to read. Skimming might help. (1) How does Burke define English governance? (2) What does he find offensive in France's attempt at revolutionary governance? (3) Do you find enlistment ideas in French revolutionary thought? (4) Do you find Burke's evaluation of the French Revolution persuasive? Why or why not? March 12: Robert Burns' Poems (1) There are six sections in the table of contents. Select one poem from each section. (2) Be prepared (or not) to explain what you find engaging in the poem. Perhaps you would consider reading it to us. (3) Did you note enlightenment ideas in them (4) Why might he (like Beethoven) be a bridge to the Romantic Era? (5) Concluding remarks.