During the 18th century, Europe underwent a significant social upheaval. Centuries-old social structures and the ideal of absolutist rule that had existed since the Baroque period were gradually replaced by the ideas of the Enlightenment.
Reason became the focus of action, and existing beliefs and the role of the individual in society were questioned. In the medical sense, a changed understanding of the body and mind developed. This gave rise to a completely new view of the world and humanity, which laid the foundation for the development of civil and human rights.
This development, which was slowly gaining momentum during Struensee's time, was also reflected in ideas about child rearing. Rousseau's novel ‘Emile, or On Education’ in particular set new standards for ‘natural education.’ Children should be educated through their own experiences and not through textbooks.
learn
A NEW FORM OF EDUCATION
Education and upbringing were recognised as the most important instruments for shaping the human mind and producing discerning, self-confident citizens. Thus, useful knowledge such as foreign languages and natural sciences were to be taught in the classroom instead of the dull cramming of principles that were far removed from real life. The new teaching was based on practical experience such as excursions and clarity through illustrated teaching materials.
discover
OPEN TO NEW IDEAS
The Enlightenment thinkers demanded that reason and personal practical experience should form the basis of judgement. This includes observing the things around us, collecting and organising them, but also gaining new experiences, travelling and discovering the unknown.
participate
KNOWLEDGE GROWS AND BECOMES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Whereas knowledge was previously accessible only to a few, during the Enlightenment it became increasingly diverse and oriented towards the realities of life. German texts were available to more people and illustrations served to clarify the meaning. While encyclopedias still conveyed an image of closedness, today we understand the recording of the world as an endless project.
16th/17th centuries
The catechism:
Principles of religion and religious practice
18th century
The encyclopedia:
knowledge of the world is collected by several authors.
19th
Technical and general encyclopedias:
specialisation and clarity.
20th/21st
Wikipedia: an open, free encyclopedia that is constantly being improved by everyone.