18. THE PROMISE OF ENLIGHTENMENT, 1750

Quiz for Document 18.1: Denis Diderot, “Encyclopedia” (1755)

Printed Page 605

1. What does Diderot mean by philosophical century or philosophical age?

The philosophes should get together and advocate the teaching of philosophy in the university.

Philosophers should be hired as policy advisors for European governments.

This is the time when reason takes precedence over classical authors.

The Encyclopedia will focus on philosophy to the exclusion of all other subjects.

2. When Diderot says that his contemporaries should “give back to the arts and sciences the liberty that is so precious to them,” he means that

for reason to flourish, freedom to express opinions is required.

people should be free to become artists or scientists.

governments should take charge of regulating the arts and sciences.

reason is not threatening, so there is no need to censor the arts and sciences.

3. Is the tone of Diderot’s article optimistic or pessimistic, and why?

It is pessimistic because there are so many barriers to reason in eighteenth-century society.

It is pessimistic because Diderot fears that the Catholic church will continue to suppress works it considers contrary to religion.

It is optimistic because Diderot sees no barriers to reason’s progress.

It is optimistic because Diderot believes that a new age of reasoning is dawning.