Question

How did ideas about science, reason and rationality find their way into popular literature in the 18th century Europe?

Answer 1

• In the 18th century the periodical press combined information about current affairs with entertainment.
• Newspapers and journals carried information about wars and trade as well as the news of development in other places. Similarly, ideas of philosophers now became accessible to common people.
• Ancient and medieval scientific texts were compiled and published, maps and scientific diagrams were widely printed.
• When scientists like Issac Newton began to publish their discoveries, they could influence a much wider circle of scientific minded readers. .
• The writings of thinkers such as Thomas Paine, Voltaire and Rousseau were also widely printed and read. Thus their ideas about science, reason and rationality found way into popular literature.