About the book
Set in Paris around 1750, The Enlightenment in Crisis places students amid the intellectual and political tension of the Enlightenment. France is Europe’s cultural powerhouse: Its language, fashions, and luxury goods shape tastes across the continent, and Paris draws artists, writers, and travelers from afar. Yet within this intellectual moment there lie deep contradictions. The monarchy projects strength while burdened by war debts, royal censors struggle to contain new ideas, and most ordinary people—peasants and urban laborers—live far from the elegant salons where elites debate philosophy. In this world of salons and print culture, knowledge itself is becoming a form of power.
At the center of the game is the ambitious Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert and with contributions from dozens of leading thinkers, which aims to gather and organize all human knowledge. By championing progress through reason and science, the project provokes fierce resistance from religious authorities and royal officials. In this game, students take on the roles of philosophers, writers, scientists, nobles, clergy, and patrons in a Parisian salon, debating freedom of thought versus orthodoxy, freedom of expression versus censorship, reform versus tradition, equality versus hierarchy, human rights versus empire and slavery. Ultimately, they consider how far reason should go in challenging the political and religious order.
Editions of The Enlightenment in Crisis
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469691251
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469691268
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469691275
Read an Excerpt
Set in Paris around 1750, The Enlightenment in Crisis places students amid the intellectual and political tension of the Enlightenment. France is Europe’s cultural powerhouse: Its language, fashions, and luxury goods shape tastes across the continent, and Paris draws artists, writers, and travelers from afar. Yet within this intellectual moment there lie deep contradictions. The monarchy projects strength while burdened by war debts, royal censors struggle to contain new ideas, and most ordinary people—peasants and urban laborers—live far from the elegant salons where elites debate philosophy. In this world of salons and print culture, knowledge itself is becoming a form of power.
At the center of the game is the ambitious Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert and with contributions from dozens of leading thinkers, which aims to gather and organize all human knowledge. By championing progress through reason and science, the project provokes fierce resistance from religious authorities and royal officials. In this game, students take on the roles of philosophers, writers, scientists, nobles, clergy, and patrons in a Parisian salon, debating freedom of thought versus orthodoxy, freedom of expression versus censorship, reform versus tradition, equality versus hierarchy, human rights versus empire and slavery. Ultimately, they consider how far reason should go in challenging the political and religious order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Enlightenment in Crisis about?
Set in Paris around 1750, The Enlightenment in Crisis places students amid the intellectual and political tension of the Enlightenment. France is Europe’s cultural powerhouse: Its language, fashions, and luxury goods shape tastes across the continent, and Paris draws artists, writers, and travelers from afar. Yet within this intellectual moment there lie deep contradictions. The monarchy projects strength while burdened by war debts, royal censors struggle to contain new ideas, and most ordinary people—peasants and urban laborers—live far from the elegant salons where elites debate philosophy. In this world of salons and print culture, knowledge itself is becoming a form of power.
At the center of the game is the ambitious Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert and with contributions from dozens of leading thinkers, which aims to gather and organize all human knowledge. By championing progress through reason and science, the project provokes fierce resistance from religious authorities and royal officials. In this game, students take on the roles of philosophers, writers, scientists, nobles, clergy, and patrons in a Parisian salon, debating freedom of thought versus orthodoxy, freedom of expression versus censorship, reform versus tradition, equality versus hierarchy, human rights versus empire and slavery. Ultimately, they consider how far reason should go in challenging the political and religious order.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Enlightenment in Crisis?
Philosophy and Religion > Philosophy > Philosophical traditions and schools of thought > Western philosophy from c 1800
Where can I read a sample of The Enlightenment in Crisis?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469691251
How long is The Enlightenment in Crisis and how many pages does it have?
The Enlightenment in Crisis has 130 page(s)
Is The Enlightenment in Crisis part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Reacting to the Past™
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Enlightenment in Crisis?
David Eick, Gretchen R. Galbraith
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Enlightenment in Crisis is available as paperback(ISBN 9781469691251) and ebook(ISBN 9781469691268) and pdf(ISBN 9781469691275)
Where can I buy The Enlightenment in Crisis online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Enlightenment in Crisis from below
Where can I buy The Enlightenment in Crisis?