Enlightenment vs. Great Awakening: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 8, 2024
The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism, while the Great Awakening was a religious revival prioritizing emotional spirituality.
Key Differences
The Enlightenment, originating in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, fostered scientific reasoning and skepticism of traditional authority. In contrast, the Great Awakening, primarily in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s, invigorated Christian faith with impassioned preaching and personal piety.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and John Locke championed human rights and democracy, influencing political revolutions. Conversely, the Great Awakening led by figures such as George Whitefield, emphasized salvation through personal faith, reshaping American religious landscape.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
While the Enlightenment cultivated secular knowledge and rational thought, promoting advancements in science and philosophy, the Great Awakening stimulated religious fervor and community revivals, leading to the formation of new denominations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
The Enlightenment's emphasis on empirical evidence and logical analysis contrasted with the Great Awakening's focus on emotional religious experiences and the need for personal conversion and redemption.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Ultimately, the Enlightenment's legacy lies in shaping modern democratic societies and scientific progress, whereas the Great Awakening's impact is seen in American religious diversity and the rise of evangelical movements.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Legacy
Modern democracy, scientific advancement
American religious diversity, evangelicalism
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
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Enlightenment and Great Awakening Definitions
Enlightenment
Intellectual movement emphasizing reason
The Enlightenment's focus on reason led to significant scientific discoveries.
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Dec 20, 2023
Great Awakening
Movement marked by impassioned preaching
During the Great Awakening, sermons evoked strong emotional responses.
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Dec 20, 2023
Enlightenment
Foundation for modern western thought
Modern democracy has its roots in Enlightenment principles.
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Dec 20, 2023
Great Awakening
Era of growing Protestant evangelism
The Great Awakening led to the spread of evangelical churches.
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Dec 20, 2023
Enlightenment
Era promoting scientific and philosophical inquiry
During the Enlightenment, philosophers debated the nature of humanity and the universe.
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Dec 20, 2023
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Great Awakening
Shift towards personal piety and morality
The Great Awakening stressed the importance of personal salvation and morality.
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Dec 20, 2023
Enlightenment
Advocacy for individual rights and freedoms
Enlightenment thinkers argued for personal liberties and democracy.
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Dec 20, 2023
Great Awakening
Influence on American religious landscape
The Great Awakening's impact is evident in America's diverse religious practices.
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Dec 20, 2023
Great Awakening
Religious revival emphasizing personal faith
The Great Awakening encouraged individuals to seek personal connections with God.
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Dec 20, 2023
Enlightenment
Enlightenment A philosophical movement of the 1700s that emphasized the use of reason to scrutinize previously accepted doctrines and traditions and that brought about many humanitarian reforms. Used with the.
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
Buddhism & Hinduism A state in which the individual transcends desire and suffering and attains nirvana.
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
An act of enlightening, or the state of being enlightened or instructed.
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
A concept in spirituality, philosophy and psychology related to achieving clarity of perception, reason and knowledge.
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
Act of enlightening, or the state of being enlightened or instructed.
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
Education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
(Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
A movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions
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Dec 13, 2023
Enlightenment
Challenge to traditional authority and dogma
The Enlightenment era questioned the unchecked power of the church and monarchy.
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Dec 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Were the Enlightenment and Great Awakening contemporary movements?
Partially; the Great Awakening overlapped with the later part of the Enlightenment.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Did the Enlightenment reject religion?
Not outright, but it challenged religious dogma with rational thought.
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Jan 08, 2024
What's a key difference between the two?
The Enlightenment was about intellect and reason, while the Great Awakening focused on emotional spirituality.
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Jan 08, 2024
How did the Great Awakening affect society?
It increased religious diversity and influenced American culture and values.
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Jan 08, 2024
How did the Great Awakening affect the American Revolution?
It fostered a sense of unity and individual rights.
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Jan 08, 2024
What sparked the Enlightenment?
The Enlightenment arose from a desire to apply reason and scientific methods to understand and improve society.
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Jan 08, 2024
Did the Enlightenment influence governance?
Yes, it shaped democratic ideals and government structures.
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Jan 08, 2024
How did the Enlightenment view science?
As a tool for understanding and improving the world.
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Jan 08, 2024
Who were major figures of the Enlightenment?
Philosophers like Voltaire, Locke, and Rousseau.
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Jan 08, 2024
Is the Great Awakening's impact still felt today?
Yes, in American evangelical movements and religious diversity.
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Jan 08, 2024
Was the Great Awakening solely an American phenomenon?
It was most prominent in America but influenced other regions too.
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Jan 08, 2024
Did the Great Awakening spawn new religious sects?
Yes, it led to the formation of new denominations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Who led the Great Awakening?
Preachers like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards.
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Jan 08, 2024
What role did the Enlightenment play in the French Revolution?
Its ideas inspired calls for equality and liberty.
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Jan 08, 2024
Can the Enlightenment be seen in today's society?
Yes, in scientific progress and democratic governance.
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Jan 08, 2024
What was the global impact of the Enlightenment?
It influenced political and social thought worldwide.
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Jan 08, 2024
How did the Enlightenment affect arts and culture?
It encouraged a more secular and rational approach in these fields.
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Jan 08, 2024
Did the Great Awakening lead to social reforms?
It influenced social dynamics, but its main focus was religious.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What was the Enlightenment's view on traditional authority?
It often critiqued and challenged it.
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Jan 08, 2024
What role did emotion play in the Great Awakening?
It was central, with a focus on emotional religious experiences.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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