Core Knowledge 6 - The Enlightenment A

Consider a group of thinkers during the Enlightenment period. What would best describe their beliefs?

• They believed that through science and reason, they could improve the conditions of the society they lived in.

• They had faith that the king ruling their country would govern wisely and fairly.

• They believed that religion alone could provide all the answers to their questions about life.

You are holding an apple and it slips from your hand. According to Newton's theory of gravity, what happens next?

• The apple evolves into a banana because people descended from apes.

• The apple falls to the ground because a natural force pulls objects toward Earth.

• The apple declares independence because the monarch does not rule by divine right.

During the Age of Enlightenment, which groups had the most significant influence?

• Christopher Columbus and other explorers

• Napoleon Bonaparte and other military leaders

• Isaac Newton and other scientists and philosophers

During the period of Enlightenment, who had the most significant influence in shaping the society?

• Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, renowned explorers and adventurers

• Napoleon Bonaparte and Julius Caesar, famous soldiers and military leaders

• Isaac Newton and Voltaire, prominent scientists and philosophers

(a)   best describes Isaac Newton.

• friend of poor peasants
• influential scientist
• father of democracy

Imagine you're studying two historical periods: the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. How would you describe the key difference between these two periods?

• During the Enlightenment, kings and queens were overthrown and no longer held power.

• During the Enlightenment, governments implemented policies that ensured equal treatment for the poor and rich.

• During the Enlightenment, there was a significant shift towards using science and reason to understand the natural world, unlike the Renaissance.

Imagine you are a historian studying the Enlightenment. In which part of the world would you focus your research to understand where it began?

• Europe

• Asia

• the United States

Is it true that Rene' Descartes, known as the "father of modern philosophy", used reason to ask questions and find truths?

• True

• False

Imagine you are studying the philosophy of John Locke. According to his views, what would he consider as the most important duty of a government in a hypothetical society?

• To aggressively expand the nation's borders through conquest

• To avoid any form of conflict and maintain peace at all costs

• To safeguard the natural rights of its citizens

Imagine you are reading a book by Descartes. In the book, he encourages readers to question everything except...

• the teachings of the Church.

• a king's authority to govern.

• their own existence.