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The Early Modern Era: A Transitional Period of Individualism and New Authorities in Europe, Papers of Cultural History of Europe

The early modern era (1350-1650) as a period of transition, focusing on the theme of 'search for new authorities.' this theme is characterized by individualism, the questioning of traditional authorities, and the pursuit of human potential. Various aspects of this theme, including the shift from collective to individual authority, the rise of humanism, the emergence of capitalism, the protestant reformation, and the scientific revolution.

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Uploaded on 08/04/2009

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From the First to the Second
“Europe”
The Early Modern Era (1350-1650) as an Era of Transition
§
I. A Theme which Unites this Period is “Search for
New Authorities” centering on individualism.
§
B. Individualism defined: The tendency
(1) to focus on
the individual, not the community, and (2) to develop man's
earthly, human potential, not fit him for the afterlife
§
II. Review of First Europe.
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“Europe”

The Early Modern Era (1350-1650) as an Era of Transition

ß I. A Theme which Unites this Period is “Search for

New Authorities” centering on individualism.

ß B. Individualism defined: The tendency (1) to focus on

the individual, not the community, and (2) to develop man's earthly, human potential, not fit him for the afterlife

ß II. Review of First Europe.

“Europe”

Questions

ß 1. Is this theme a valid way to understand the period

ß 2. If not, have you a suggestion?

“Europe”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß Shift from closed universe to infinite universe ß Questioning of orthodox Christian theology and acceptance of view that reality is ultimately mysterious and incomprehensible. ß Questioning of corporate religious experience and willingness to accept inner, mystical experience. ß Rejection of intermediate authorities such as Pope and Councils for Scripture and conscience as guides. ß Turning away from Gothic and medieval to classical models. ß Questioning of rank and class and turning to talent, education, determination, and cunning.

“Europe”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß Questioning of “fair price” economy as taught by Church in favor of market economy. ß Questioning of “Divine Right of Kings” in favor of the battlefield, political intrigue, or will of the people. ß Rejection of medieval models of scholarship for original inquiry and experimentation. ß Rejection of other-worldliness for delight in earthly secular, pleasures and activities. ß Rejection of accepted geography of the world for voyages of exploration and discovery. ß Questioning of accepted technology for better tools and instruments (clocks, instruments of measure and lenses).

“Europe”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß VI. Illustrations of the Motif of “Search for New

Authorities”:

ß A. Rise of Humanism.

ßMan as a human being important in his own right. ß Ideal of Renaissance Universal Man. ßLeonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

“Europe”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß Giovanni, Count Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). Oration on the Dignity of Man

ß B. Renaissance Art. Depicting Man in his natural

element. Leonardo. Sando Botticelli (1445-1510).

Leonardo’s “Madonna of the Rocks,” next slide.

“Europe ”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß C. The Rise of Capitalism. Search for profit, despite

Church’s teaching. Led to innovations in commercial

methods and practices. Joint stock companies, bill of

exchange, double-entry bookkeeping.

ß D. Protestant Reformation.

ß Luther said each person was his own priest. Emphasized Bible study. ßJohn Calvin stressed individual in doctrine of elect. The elect held eminent positions because of individual merit.

“Europe ”

Questions

ß 1. Is another word for "profit" greed?

ß 2. The medieval church taught that the lending of

money at interest was contrary to nature and to God's

laws. Jews, however, could be lenders because they were

outside the Church. In other words, capital was needed,

but Christians shouldn't be amassing it?

ß 3. Historians have disagreed about whether

Protestantism stimulated capitalism by an emphasis on

proving one's election by success. Is there a Protestant

ethic which values work as godly?

“Europe ”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Sought to fuse the voices of the fugue into one whole. Art of the Fugue.

ß F. The Scientific Revolution. Desire for control of

nature. Required exact observations and measurements.

Mathematics.

ßNicholas Copernicus (1473-1543) ßGalileo Galilei (1564-1642) ßJohannes Kepler (1571-1630)

“Europe ”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß Rene Descartes (1596-1650) ß Isaac Newton (1642-1727) ß Francis Bacon (1561-1626). Knowledge is power.

ß G. Corollary is Idea of Secular Progress.

“Europe”

Search for New Authorities as a Motif

ß H. New Attitudes toward the State. Niccolo Machiavelli

ß I. Varieties of Modern Secular State.

ß Absolute monarchy of Louis XIV of France. ß British and American models.