20th Century Intellectualism

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20th Century Intellectualism

• An outline for this discussion is on my blog
• WARNING This is AP Euro and NOT an
• AP Physics class.
• You will not be asked to explain the
• complexities of Einsteins theories.
• You do need to know that

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• The new physics challenged traditional notions of
  causality, time and space.
• Know that this undermined the optimistic
  confidence that people lived in a predictable and
  orderly world.
• NOWhere are some names/concepts and implications
  of this intellectual period that you should be
  familiar with. Do NOT take notes as I have
  posted this PPt on my blog ? SOrelax pay
  attention

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I. Old Certainties

1. Belief in the power of reason to understand the
   universe and discover natural laws.
2. Belief in progress and the power of science and
   technology to improve living standards.
3. Belief in liberty and the power of individual
   rights to promote a just society.

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II. Impact of WWII

1. Caused unprecedented death and destruction.
2. Overthrew established monarchies and social
   orders in Russia, Germany A-H.
3. Led many people to question the optimistic belief
   in reason, progress and individual rights.

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III. The Terrible Uncertainties

1. A widespread feeling of disillusionment,
   uncertainty and anxiety.
2. New doubts about the ability of individuals to
   control their lives
3. An intellectual crisis that affected every field
   of thought.

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• Philosophers, scientists, psychologists and
  artists began to portray physical reality, human
  nature and human society in ways that were
  different from the past.
• In particular, their new concepts challenged the
  major presuppositions of mid-19th century
• Science
• Rationalism
• Liberalism
• Bourgeois (middle-class) morality

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Toward a 20th c. Frame of Mind

• Science
• a) know the results of 20th c. discoveries
• (see handout on my blog)
• Literature
• a) know the aspects of the realist movement
  (see my blog)
• 3. What were modernists concerned with?

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• Philosophy
• a) know Nietzsches basic positions (see
• handout on blog)
• Birth of Psychoanalysis
• a) Know Sigmund Freuds basic
• assumptions and the implications
• 1) his theories undermined the
• Enlightenments belief
  that humans
• are fundamentally rational
  beings.
• 2) Freud emphasized the power of
• uncontrolled irrational
  and
• unconscious drives.
• 3) 3 parts to the human psych the id, ego,
• and superego

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• Retreat from rationalism in politics
• a) KNOW Max Weber his view of the role of
  reason (see blog handout)
• b) Theorists of collective behavior and the
  rationality of the individual (see blog handout)

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• Racism
• a) Aryan race and Arther de Gobineau
• b) role of anthropologists?
• c) Houston Stewart Chamberlains basic thought
  on race.
• d) Nationalism racism most powerful
  aggressive ideology in early 20th c.

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• Anti-Semitism the Birth of Zionism
• a) Why did anti-Semitism become stronger more
  palpable at end of the 19th c. ?
• b) Zionism
• c) Theodor Herzl (The Jewish State)