What was the main philosophy of the Revolutionary Era / Age of Reason?

Study for the Chronological Movements in American Literature Test. Explore key literary developments with multiple-choice questions, flashcards, and detailed hints. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What was the main philosophy of the Revolutionary Era / Age of Reason?

Explanation:
The main idea here is that the Revolutionary Era, or Age of Reason, framed truth as something discovered through reason and rational inquiry rather than handed down by tradition or guaranteed by revelation. Think of it as valuing evidence, argument, and logical thinking as the path to knowledge, which shows up in political writings that emphasize natural rights, social contracts, and the ability of people to govern themselves through reason. While tradition and revelation played their roles in earlier periods, and emotion becomes more central in later movements, the enduring hallmark of this era is truth arrived by using reason.

The main idea here is that the Revolutionary Era, or Age of Reason, framed truth as something discovered through reason and rational inquiry rather than handed down by tradition or guaranteed by revelation. Think of it as valuing evidence, argument, and logical thinking as the path to knowledge, which shows up in political writings that emphasize natural rights, social contracts, and the ability of people to govern themselves through reason. While tradition and revelation played their roles in earlier periods, and emotion becomes more central in later movements, the enduring hallmark of this era is truth arrived by using reason.

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