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The Enlightenment era's influence on modern thought and culture is profound, with the Royal Society fostering scientific inquiry and salons, coffeehouses, and debating societies promoting intellectual exchange. Freemasonry played a role in spreading Enlightenment ideals, while a revival of classical culture in the arts paralleled the intellectual quest for reason and progress.
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The Royal Society was established in 1660 and formally chartered in 1662, providing a forum for scientific and intellectual exchange
Verification through Experimentation
The Royal Society endorsed the empirical approach to scientific inquiry, advocating for the verification of theories through experimentation
The Royal Society's meetings were a space for scientific demonstration and critical evaluation of knowledge, with a preference for testimony from experts with moral standing
Salons, often hosted by influential women, played a crucial role in disseminating philosophical ideas during the Enlightenment
Penny Universities
Coffeehouses, known as "penny universities," democratized knowledge and allowed for discussions among people from different social backgrounds
Debating societies encouraged public discourse on various subjects, including politics and religion, and were relatively inclusive, even admitting women
Freemasonry, with its principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, exerted a significant influence on Enlightenment thought
Masonic lodges served as a secretive network for promoting rationalism, secularism, and progressive social values during the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment era saw a resurgence of interest in classical antiquity, leading to the emergence of neoclassicism in the arts
Simplicity, Symmetry, and Moral Virtue
Neoclassicism sought to emulate the simplicity, symmetry, and moral virtue of ancient Greek and Roman culture, reflecting the Enlightenment's pursuit of reason and progress
The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and moral integrity in the arts parallels its intellectual pursuits and continues to shape contemporary democratic and scientific principles