During the Enlightenment Period in the 18th Century, there were many radical changes in the way people saw themselves and the way they thought politically.  The great philosopher, Kant, declared that humanity must deviate from a life of unreason, relying on superstition, and blind obedience.  While philosophers preached literacy and autonomy, political changes, such as the idea of a “social contract” and limiting the powers of kings were slowly trickling throughout Europe.  Even the idea of Absolute Monarchy was starting to hit oppositions.

In the late 1700’s, a German philosopher by the name of Kant stated that humanity was too deeply rooted in tradition and needed to change its perspective and method of dealing with situations.  He suggested using science and reason instead of superstition.  He was the foremost figure in the studies of human autonomy, the view that by the use of our own reason in its broadest sense, human beings can discover and live up to the basic principles of knowledge and action without outside assistance, especially without divine support or intervention.  Kant believed that both the laws of nature and the laws of free human conduct must be compatible because they are both products of human thought imposed by us on the data of our experience by the exercise of our own powers. This was clearly stated in his final book, The Conflict of the Faculties (1798).

Voltaire, a French writer, states that “It would be easier to subdue the whole universe by arms than to subdue all the minds in a single city.” (Doc. 5)  According to him, human minds can be changed, but cannot be suppressed by anyone but themselves.  Voltaire did not believe that any single religious text or tradition of revelation was needed to believe in God. Voltaire’s focus was rather on the idea of a universe based on reason and a respect for nature which reflected the modern pantheism (worship that admits or tolerates all gods).  His radical (for the time period) views drew criticism from many of his contemporaries.  The deeply Catholic Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote to his father the year of Voltaire’s death, saying, “The arch-scoundrel Voltaire has finally kicked the bucket….”  He was ahead of his time because Voltaire perceived the French bourgeoisie to be too small and ineffective, the aristocracy to be parasitic and corrupt, the commoners as ignorant and superstitious, and the church as a static and oppressive force useful only on occasion as a counterbalance to the rapacity of kings, although all too often, more rapacious itself.