So, to begin with, let's answer a far from new question that arises in many schoolchildren and not only: "XVIII - what century is it?" Let's try to figure it out within the framework of this article.
The mystery of Latin numbers, or the Answer to the question: "XVIII - what century is this?"
People often complain that Roman numerals are very difficult for them. In fact, there is nothing difficult here. Everything follows a completely understandable logic.
So, in the case of the number XVIII, it must be deciphered, starting from the very beginning. So X is ten. Accordingly, the number will be clearly greater than 10, since the remaining digits are to the right of the main one. The fact is that if we had the number IX, then it would already be 9, since the unit on the left is subtracted from 10. So, let's look further. V is 5, and the last part, respectively, is 3. All the elements are summed up and we get the finished number - 18. But in parallel with the question of what century the XVIII is, another difficulty arises. Which year can be attributed to the 18th century - 1750 or 1829? There is only one answer: 1750, since 1829 will already be the 19th century.
History of the 18th century. Enlightenment
So, when we figured out where is which century, let's dwell on the history of this period. Let's start withthe fact that Europe in the 18th century experienced a grandiose event in its history - the Enlightenment. This term is familiar to many. One may wonder: XVIII - what century is this, but one cannot help but know the features of this phenomenon. Each country did it differently. But what was common to all was the collapse of feudalism.
Enlightenment is a natural process that inevitably began with the fall of the feudal system. It is humanistic and gravitates toward formal law, seeing in it a guarantee of freedom and a better life. Enlightenment as a phenomenon not only influenced the mental development of Europe. It boldly criticized obsolete and obsolete forms of life and way of life, preserved since the Middle Ages.
Main ideas of the English Enlightenment
Thus, Locke highlighted moral qualities and guidelines, viewing the state as an agreement of the people. He believed that the only natural regulator of interpersonal and social relations are the norms of morality, morality and behavior.
They should have been established, according to the philosopher, "by universal tacit agreement." The history of the 18th century completely determined the further path of development of many countries, including Great Britain. The English figures of the Enlightenment believed that the highest goal was not the happiness of society, but the happiness of the individual, personal elevation.
Locke also emphasized that all people are born with a set of strengths and abilities that will help them achieve almost anything. But only constant efforts, as he believedphilosopher, contribute to the realization of the potential inherent in each. Only personal creative effort will help a person succeed in life. In saying this, the English philosophers of the 18th century very accurately captured the need of the society in that period.
French Enlightenment
Unlike the ideas of the English Enlightenment, Rousseau highlights the society, not just one individual. According to his ideas, initially the society owned all the power, but then it betrayed the power to the rulers so that they acted in its interests. Rousseau was a supporter of the Democratic-Republican state. Civic equality will be achieved only when every citizen can participate in governance.
Montesquieu, in turn, insists that the state structure of any country must adapt to the climate, and to religion, and to the nature of the people. The philosopher also considers the republican form to be the best form of government. But, not seeing the possibility of realizing it in modern states, he stops at a constitutional monarchy. In this case, the ruler will have only the executive power, and the legislative power will belong to the elected parliament.
