Culture

Although England's ruler's were wealthy aristocrats and absolutists, the cultural ways of England's inhabitants were based of an agricultural lifestyle. As disciplined quick learners, the English studied the ways of the dutch and learned how to make a Dutch drainage system, and learned the Dutch way of farming. With this inspiration came a breed of new innovators in farming bringing forth the agricultural revolution. The English, now having farming be a way of their life and culture, learned how to produce larger crops creating larger incomes, and began using equipment with farming rather that doing everything by hand. They began using horses for plowing their fields quicker and used selective breeding to raise faster horses as well. The culture change in England's masses during this time period was truly based off of agriculture, and through this way of life brought great thinkers who learned to perfect the way they lived it.

Baron d'Holbach's opinion of England

Baron d'Holbach was a German- French author, philosopher and encyclopedist. He was also the forefather of atheism. Due to these facts, i believe d'Holbach had a negative opinion on England. In England, religion was a key component to life and their society. The countries religion affected everyones daily life greatly whether it was Catholicism or Anglicanism. d'Holbach did not believe in God, he was atheist. Therefore, he would disagree with England and it's religious views. As a result, he would have a negative opinion of England because they do not agree with his beliefs.

Beccaria on the Englightenment Age

Although my main area of work is in crime, there are few new developments in terms of the criminal justice system during this time. It does upset me that England continues to behead many people each year, as most European countries do, but because this has been going on for a long time, I focus on other areas. It surprises me that only a minority truly believed in reason rather than church dogma at the beginning of the Scientific Revolution. As the United Kingdom continues to produce great scientists and philosophers dedicated to making contributions to this new theory of reason, my approval for the nation rises. One element that I do not like about England is the method of government that denies two of my main principles: The state as a form of contract and the principle of utility, or the greatest happiness for the greatest amount. Because the monarchy continued selfish rule into the latter portion of the 17th century, only the royalty and nobles were content with their situation. This goes against my somewhat socialistic beliefs in that the commoners should actually be most content with society because the represent the greatest majority.

Opinion of David Hume

David Hume was a very influential philosopher of the time, known as the first great philosopher to carve out a thoroughly naturalistic philosophy. He believed strongly in and is credited with the creation of cause and effect. He believed strongly that the world was as we represent it, and there was little to no influence from any supernatural being. For this reason, Hume probably had a negative outlook on England at the time. In England, religion was quite widespread, and belief in god was everywhere. Whether it be through Catholicism or Anglicanism, God played a great role in the lives of everyone. Hume did not approve of the incredible role of a supernatural in lives of the English, he believed that everything in the world had a cause and everything could be proven. The work of God disproves his theory.

How England was Impacted during the Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution was a major factor in England for various reasons. England witnessed the birth of many talented thinkers, including Thomas Hobbs and John Locke, men whose theories would eventually spark revolution. As the Scientific Revolution gave way to reason in a push away from the church, these men began to become more liberal on philosophical ideas about government and general human rights. Locke's famous quote about each man's right to "Life, liberty, and property" was a new and profound idea that would be a key slogan behind the American Revolution. England, more than any other nation, felt this vast change in attitude with the arrival of the Scientific Revolution. A philosopher of this era, Sir Francis Bacon, brought about the essay in England. Although he is not credited for the creation of the essay, he is responsible for bringing it to England. His creation of the scientific method also attributed to the evolution in science going on at the time, not just in England, but all throughout Europe. Also during this time, Mary Wollstonecraft, an English author wrote about the rights of women and greatly impacted the female development in society. Today, she is considered the most influential spokeswoman of women's rights of early European history.