The European politics, communication, science and philosophy were radically reoriented between 1685 and 1815, during a time that was referred to Age of Reason, or in words, the Enlightenment Era. The European thinkers from Britain, France and throughout Europe started questioning the traditional authority and developed the notion that humanity could be made better through rational change. As a result of Enlightenment, there was production of numerous books, essay, laws, wars, scientific discovery and revolution. Enlightenment directly influenced the French and the American revolutions which respectively led to the peak of its influence and its decline. More importantly, Enlightenment paved way for what came to be referred to as Romanticism in the 19^th century (Wade 155). The 17^th century precursors included the Frenchman Renee Descartes and, Englishmen Thomas Hobbes and Francis Bacon. Nevertheless, the French revolution was greatly influenced by the works of François-Marie d’Arouet (1694–1778), Marie Olympe de Gouges (1748-1793) and Denis Diderot (1713—1784). The essay will examine the above mentioned three precursors and their contribution to the French revolution during the Age of Reason. The essay will show that the French revolution of 1789 was a result of High Enlightenment vision that led to the abandonment of the traditional authority to shape the society along the lines of rationality.

François-Marie d’Arouet, Marie Olympe de Gouges and Denis Diderot

François-Marie d’Arouet, who was better known for his pen name as Voltaire, was a public activist and a French writer who acted a singular role in defining Enlightenment Era. Central to his work was the commencement of a new philosophy which, the term influenced the modern concept of several crucial respects. He wrote many stories, poems and plays following the philosophical tract and, directed his work against philosophical pretensions of Descartes, Leibniz and Malebranche. In his view, he was a vigorous defender of the idea of natural science which he argued in his mind; was a clear distinction between science and philosophy. Between 1755 and 1778, Voltaire adopted what would become the most intellectual stance by waging war against superstition, fanaticism and twin hydras. The new program that refuted the claims of Newtonian science became the defense of philosophie tout court; making a long lasting contribution to history and science. Voltaire made great contributions by establishing the relationship between science and philosophy. Newton argued that the character of the body was not significant to science due to the fact that science was only based on quantified descriptions. For Voltaire, he demonstrated to the public audience that what could not be seen of measured in a body, defined the conception nature of the bodies. As a result, Voltaire has influenced the study of metaphysics based on his concept of skepticism and rationalism (Wade 52).

Marie Olympe de Gouges, was a French author and an activist who achieved her modest success as a play Wright during the 18^th century; due to her support for French revolution and her political writings. Moreover, being a female pioneer, Gouges was seen as French feminist advocating women rights in 1791. Although Gouges was influential during the revolutionary France, her feminist ideas were perceived as radical and as a result, she was executed for crimes against the government. Gouges sociopolitical works were focused on the issues of civil rights particularly the rights of women which, she considered were “inalienable” and “natural”. She dedicated her work to bring the belief of equality among all human beings. The revolution created an environment that enabled feminist organizations to be formed. As a result, in 1791, she published the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Citizen which addressed issues such as legal equality of both sexes, better education for girls and legal alternative to private dowry system. She also advocated for more opportunities for women and establishment of a theater where women would display plays written by them. In addition, Gouges called for an extension of the demand for rights by including complete freedom of speech, the opportunity to seek public office and the right to vote. However, the government that came into power did not tolerate subversion of any kind or criticism. As a result, she was arrested for sedition, convicted and executed. Nevertheless, the Declaration that was passed by Gouges in 1789 influenced the freedom of women and their constitution rights in French government (Testa 52).

Denis Diderot was the most famous French Encyclopedist and one of the writers of Dictionnaire de medicine. In the circle of the pioneers of Enlightenment, Diderot supported the Locke’s theory of knowledge. He attacked the conventional morality of the day, creating an allusion of the mistress of the minister and as a result, was sent to jail. After being released, he joined the French revolutionaries such as Voltaire and made numerous writing based on French classic style of drama. Among his most daring works, Diderot made metaphysic and ethical speculations which made him the first great writer to dedicate his work to modern democracy (Sherman 53).

Conclusion

The French revolution during Enlightenment Era paved way for the transformation of human thoughts from the old authority system to adapt rationality. Most of the ideas during Age of Reason influenced the way people perceived the concepts of science, gender equality and morality. For instance, contributions that were made by Gouges led to the establishing of a declaration that sought to provide equal opportunity for men and women.

Works Cited

Sherman, Carol L. Reading Olympe de Gouges. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Print.

Wade, Ira O. The Structure and Form of the French Enlightenment, Volume 1: Esprit

Philosophique. New York, NY: Princeton University Press, 2015. Print.

Testa, David W. Del. Government Leaders, Military Rulers and Political Activists. New York,

NY: Routledge, 2014. Print.

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