Image: detail from the Frontispiece of Diderot’s Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, 1772
About this series on The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a movement which saw great change in European politics, philosophy, science and communications. Starting in the mid-17th century, it was founded on reasoned discourse and scientific inquiry, and by extension, connected with the idea of human equality and thus the rights of the individual. The movement produced numerous books, essays, inventions, scientific discoveries and law, and its ideals were a direct inspiration for the French and American revolutions.
Over the course of four lectures, this series will capture the beginnings of the Enlightenment and its influence on colonial Australia. Two great portals of Enlightenment influence, and their adaptation to the changes around them over the past 200 years, will be discussed — Libraries and Museums.
The series will conclude with an interactive sophistry which will discuss how these ideas have influenced our Australian society and the institutions entrusted with informing that society of new ideas and discovery and, on a more concerning note, to what extent is Nobel Lauriet Joseph Stiglitz correct in his view that “Global Deflation is reversing international progress through rejection of the principals of the Enlightenment”?
Lecture Schedule
4 September 2017 — Susannah Fullerton OAM, FRSN
Samuel Pepys: His Library and the Enlightenment
6 November 2017 — Prof. Robert Clancy AM, FRSN
The Freedom to Use Your Own Intelligence:
The Enlightenment & the Growth of the Australian Nation
1 February 2018 — Kim McKay AO
Learning, Adaptation & the Enlightenment: The Museum
1 March 2018 — Paul Brunton OAM
Learning, Adaptation & the Enlightenment: The Library
5 April 2018 — Scientia Professor George Paxinos AM
Sophistry — Global Deflation: The Enlightenment has failed!
SMSA (Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts)
Download ‘The Enlightenment’ Series Flyer (PDF)