Eli’s Mind

Friedrich Gentz, a conservative political theorist, differentiates between the American and French Revolutions primarily in terms of their underlying principles and outcomes. He views the American Revolution as rooted in a desire for political independence and self-governance, with a focus on preserving existing social structures and institutions. In contrast, he characterizes the French Revolution as…

1) During the meeting of the Estates General, the Third Estate, representing the commoners and majority of the population, found themselves marginalized by the privileged First and Second Estates. Frustrated with the outdated feudal system and the lack of representation, they broke away, forming the National Assembly, signaling the beginning of the French Revolution. This…

(1) “Enlightened absolutism” was a political theory that emerged during the 18th century in Europe, particularly associated with rulers such as Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria. It advocated for monarchs to embrace Enlightenment ideas of rationality, progress, and tolerance while maintaining absolute authority over their…

(1) The French materialists of the 18th century, such as Denis Diderot, Baron d’Holbach, and Julien Offray de La Mettrie, held a philosophical stance that emphasized the primacy of matter over mind. They believed that all phenomena, including human thought and behavior, could be explained through the laws of nature and physical processes, without recourse…