Neoclassicism During the time of Neoclassicism, authors focused their writings toward science and reasoning. The Scientific Revolution took place during Neoclassicism, and at this time, society as a whole unit became more important. A famous neoclassical writer, Jean de La Fontaine, used animism to tell his stories; his characters were animals that were given human behaviors in order to teach society moral values. Perhaps one of Fontaine’s most famous fables, “The Grasshopper and the Ant,” taught one of the most important life lessons, which is to be wise and look ahead to the future. Francis Bacon, another famous neoclassical author, described the way one can find true knowledge in “Idols of the Mind.” He even discussed how knowledge and power are considered to be one. Bacon expressed that one should not let “idols of the mind” restrain their thoughts, and therefore, keep them from gaining essential knowledge. Like Bacon, Thomas Hobbes stressed the importance of knowledge and power among individuals in society. Hobbes talked of states and a strong central government in “Leviathan;” he also believed in the equality of every man. He also thought sovereign authority and separation of powers was extremely important among society.
Rene Descartes was yet another famous writer during Neoclassicism; he was known as the Father of Modern Philosophy. He founded analytical geometry, and his writings centered around mechanical philosophy, meaning the focus of human time was no longer the sun, instead a clock. In his writing, Descartes searched to know the truth; he wanted every piece of truth revealed, with no doubt. He even wrote about ways for humans to go about discovering true knowledge; his advice was for individuals to only accept the things that they were absolutely sure of. Neoclassical writing was all about humans making scientific discoveries and finding their place in the universe. Alexander Pope proved that in his writings; he discussed that men were a part of something entirely too large for them to comprehend. In “An Essay on Man,” Pope wrote that God was man’s authority; however, men were individuals and had minds that were capable of thinking all on their own. He even introduced a class system, or the Great Chain of Being; in his writing, Pope brought to his audience’s attention that they would forever be subject to God’s authority no matter what amount of knowledge they gained. Pope believed that man should have both hope and faith and at all times, attempt to be morally good. Like Pope, John Locke taught that humans gaining knowledge was very important. His philosophy was that all ideas come from either sensation or reflection, and experience was the only way to truly gain knowledge. Locke taught that men were fully capable of making their own decisions through reasoning. He proved that men were becoming more complex in their thinking because they no longer accepted the fact that the universe was not as simplistic as it had once appeared. Locke was fully aware that there was too much knowledge to be gained for one man to do it alone. Together, neoclassical writers taught that scientific knowledge was one of the most important things for men to know in order to function throughout life. During this time, humans became more aware of their surroundings and their true place in this world. Men put their minds to work and discovered that sound judgment and reasoning helped them to gain knowledge that enabled them to make amazing scientific discoveries.