5.1. Ciencia e Ilustración. Introducción.

What is Enlightenment?

This section discusses the concept of Enlightenment and its definition by Immanuel Kant.

Definition of Enlightenment

• Enlightenment is defined as the triumph of reason, where reason leaves its immature state and dares to know.

• The development of reason has been understood as the spreading out into various different fields, such as Newtonianism in physics and mathematics, experimentation in chemistry, botany, and medicine.

• According to this point of view, chemistry, botany, and medicine achieved maturity through a process of delayed scientific revolution.

• Antoine Lavoisier's work on weighing scales and mass conservation led to a revolution in chemistry. Linnaeus' systematisation of botany led to a similar revolution in botany. Medicine underwent a long crisis in Galenism before experiencing its own revolution at the end of the eighteenth century.

Critiques on Enlightenment

• Recent studies have questioned the progressive triumph of reason during the Enlightenment period.

• Authors such as those from Frankfurt School rethought the legacy of enlightenment critically by introducing instrumental reason. Jürgen Habermas introduced the concept of public sphere which was characterized by salons and newspapers for debate and public discussion.

Scientific Activity during Enlightenment

• The science during enlightenment fundamentally developed within these new spaces created for public sphere where experiments that attracted large audiences were carried out.

• Research has shown discourse on public usefulness knowledge related to social life and public entertainment.

Conclusion

This section concludes that scientific activity during enlightenment fundamentally developed within new spaces created for public sphere where experiments that attracted large audiences were carried out. The discourse on public usefulness knowledge related to social life and public entertainment was also present.