#TeamEnglish@CMS_Kottayam: The learner in me, hand in hand with the teacher in you!

 Immanuel Kant YouTube link to the lecture:   Immanuel Kant Life 18 th c. philosopher Born in Prussia Family: father, a saddler; mother, an uneducated woman, noted for her remarkable character and intelligence. Religious influence: Pietist branch of the Lutheran Church. Stress on inner life. Kant confining himself to his own village. Senility and death Works Three Critiques – of Pure Reason, of Practical Reason, of Judgement What is Enlightenment? Kant and The Enlightenment A spokesman of the French intellectual dynamism. (“What is Enlightenment?”) But was against the extravagant claims made on behalf of reason: advocated the idea that there are realms of reality that are opaque to reason; they are illuminated by flashes of insight. (Did not undermine the role of reason; but objected to the denial of the orders of reality which could not be verified by reason. We should not restrict knowledge to the testimony of the senses.) Kant’s respect for Hume: Kant has remarked that Hum...

David Hume (1711 – 1776) David Hume, born in Scotland, was an influence upon many thinkers of the times, such as Gibbon, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant and Diderot. He carried the mission and spirit of the Enlightenment into England. He attacked Christianity and condemned its miracles. He is considered as a historian as well. His non-theological approach to history enabled him to achieve a certain level of impartiality. Considering that the world as it is, is imperfect, he rejects the involvement of a divine designer. Hume’s Views on Reason and Passion: Hume questions the primacy of reason, and accepts the dominance of passion. But, he did not support Rousseau’s idea of social contract as the origin of government. He considers it illogical to construct an ethics based on the subservience of passions to reason. Romanticism owes part of its revival to his questioning of the primacy of reason and the acceptance of the dominance of passion. Main Works: Enquiry concerning Human Under...

  Denis Diderot (1713 – 1768) The Profane Trio: Diderot, Voltaire, Rousseau (as remarked by Will Durant) A person with extensive knowledge, Diderot could write on any topic at short notice. He studied Mathematics, Latin, Greek and English. Had the habit of visiting shops, farms and factories to study new processes and products. Developed an admiration towards the skills of artisans and the genius of inventors. He was familiar with French economy, which was nurtured through his association with people from different walks of life. Works: Pensees Philosophiques : known for its attempt to reconcile reason with emotion (Passion alone can lift the soul to sublime heights) . Bears traces of Diderot’s association with Rousseau. Origins of incipient romanticism is seen in the work. It also shows his scorn for revealed truth, critical attitude towards the church and enthusiasm for the advancement of science. Encyclopedie : Started in response to the request of Le Breton (publisher...

  Core Text:   Cross-currents: The Evolution of Literary Movements Broad Outline: ·        French Socio-political and religious situations ·        Enlightenment ·        Romanticism ·        Impact of Enlightenment/ Romanticism upon England Our study focuses on the 18 th century France. Part 1:  Refer pages 9 - 15 Background Late 2nd Century BC:             Roman occupation of parts of France (Julius Caesar) 5th C. AD:                    Germanic Franks establish power in the region. Frankish dominance continues for centuries. Power reaches its heights in the time of Charlemagne, or Charles the Great. 1337 to 1453: The Hundred Years' War was a series of wars waged by the House of Valois and the ...