POLI 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Bourgeoisie, Scientific Socialism, American Political Science Association
Document Summary
I think, therefore i am (descartes), launched the modern age. Begins with i" - the individual is central to modern thinking. Think" = reason is the key to truth or knowledge (over faith or revelation); scientific rather than philosophical. Therefore i am" - deep skepticism over knowledge; not even existence is taken for granted but must be deduced. The heart of modern thinking; to doubt that you think is to think in itself"; to doubt you exists you also doubt god"s existence. Reason and skepticism the presets of modern age. 17th century with the enlightenment age is the political beginning. Individual is paramount (the rational) thus, authority is challenged. Belief in science: root to true knowledge is scientific method, not faith, revelation etc: reason is route to knowledge, search for universal laws. Development of market: contract and private property in 17th century the creation of a government.
