5.5. Ciencia e Ilustración. El fin de la Ilustración.
The Enlightenment and Science
This section discusses the changes that occurred in science during the Enlightenment period. It highlights the creation of scientific societies, transformation of universities, and participation of authors related to science in political management activities.
Changes in Scientific Societies
- The Enlightenment saw the founding of many scientific and academic societies across Europe.
- These societies provided new spaces for the development of science.
- Activities related to science were developed within these societies.
Transformation of Universities
- Universities underwent a great transformation during this period.
- Some universities, such as Leiden and Montpellier, were transformed into large centers of higher education that attracted students from all over Europe.
- Reforms were made to some chairs, and experimental physics laboratories were set up.
Participation in Political Management Activities
- Authors related to science began participating in political management activities during the eighteenth century.
- Some authors ended up holding political positions of great relevance during the Napoleonic Empire at the end of the Enlightenment.
The Legacy and Interpretation of the Enlightenment
This section explores how different interpretations have been given to what constitutes as "The Enlightenment". It also discusses how it is a complex phenomenon associated with various aspects depending on one's point of view.
End Interpretations
- Robert Darnton associates the end of enlightenment with mesmerism sessions which opened doors to Romanticism.
- However, it is hard to establish a separation between these mesmerism sessions and those related to electricity or other areas like Galvani's or Volta's experiments.
- Mary Shelley's work Frankenstein was inspired by Aldini's application of electricity to corpses which was inspired by Galvani's experiments.
Complexity
- The Enlightenment is a diverse phenomenon that occurs in different situations depending on the various parts of Europe and even more different if we expand our vision to a more global sphere.
- It is associated with a large number of aspects, also significantly depending on the point of view that is adopted and the place that is analyzed.
Legacy
- The Enlightenment was a time for the movement of objects, materials from Asia, India, and America to Europe.
- Great colonial expansion projects were carried out in American colonies associated with large scientific expeditions.
- Napoleon's expedition to Egypt characterized the East as a territory of irrationality which would provide the point of departure for what Edward Said has called Orientalism.