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Renaissance

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 Andrew Stutts The Middle Ages is largely known as period of time period where ignorance reigned and little or no advancements took place.   The church was the most dominate force which propagated beliefs centered around superstitions.    In contrast, the rebirth of education and advancements that followed the Middle Ages and was named and is described as the Renaissance.   Some would contend that   the Renaissance is not actually a separate time period but   just the peak of the Middle Ages.   However, the Renaissance was definitely a distinctive period in history.    The period drew Inspiration from the ancient Greek and Romans to form humanism beliefs and encouraged man to become multi-talented. Therefore, the Renaissance man, a man who excelled in many areas, became prominent. Also, the ideals of the people changed, and religion no longer ruled their lives. Advancements in all aspects of life virtually improved. Thus, many aspects lead to the change from the Middle Ages to the Re
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Synopsis of Descartes’s- A Discourse of a Method for the Well Guiding of Reason

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Andrew Stutts   In A Discourse of a Method for the Well Guiding of Reason, Descartes professed his discovery of an effective way of directing his reason that aided him in numerous noteworthy breakthroughs in his scientific research. He commenced to describe his method by beginning an autobiography of sorts, in which he humbly described his intellectual attributes as being average.   He recounted his intellectual development and of how he came upon his “method for the well guiding of reason.”   Descartes made it clear in the beginning of this discourse that the goal of his life’s path was the pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement. Moreover, he provided an account concerning his early life of “reading the letters.”   He felt that what he had learned was inadequate and was particularly dissatisfied with philosophy. He had found no certainty, only aggregative doubts as noted in the following passage: “ I shall say nothing of Philosophy, but that seeing it hath been cultivated b
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Rousseau Influence

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 Andrew Stutts The Geneva born philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau ( 1712-1778) is perhaps one the most fascinating intellectual figures from the 18th century Enlightenment era.   This political philosopher, educationist and essayist influenced many great thinkers throughout history.   Indeed his ideas have had a prevalent and profound influence in our culture.   Although Rousseau was the least academic of modern philosophers, in many ways was the most influential.   His thought marked the end of the Age of Reason.   He propelled political and ethical thinking into new channels.   Many scholars credit his brilliant writing as inspiration for the leaders of the American and French Revolutions.   Amazingly, this watchmaker’s son, with no formal education at any level, arrived at profound insights that continue to challenge and inspire generations in a whole range of fields that might normally seem unconnected.   In this paper I shall discuss his legacy in three fields; in political thoug
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Analysis of Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs

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Andrew Stutts Personal memoirs are invaluable documents when studying history and provide a personal perspective not normally obtained concerning facts and events.   However, they must be critically examined in their context and compared to multiple sources.   While fascinating, personal memoirs are bias and potentially manipulating by nature, even when they are written by authors with the noblest intentions.   Therefore, these documents should always be read discerningly.   Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs is no exception and there are ample opportunities to discern the information her writing conveys.    Therefore, this paper shall provide an analysis of Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs emphasizing potential embellishments or contradictory information.   A   brief synopsis of Princess Dashkova’s life will be given followed by a discussion of her memoirs in the following key areas: her role in the coup that place Catherine the Great on the throne of Russia, her relationship with Catherine, h
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Rousseau Confessions Essay

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  Andrew Stutts The Geneva born philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau ( 1712-1778) is perhaps one the most fascinating intellectual figures from the 18th century Enlightenment era.   This political philosopher, educationist and essayist wrote Confessions, while meditating upon the saga of his own peculiar life.   Confessions is considered to be the first great modern autobiography and provides an abundant amount of reflection on how we understand each other and ourselves.   In Confessions, Rousseau endeavored to disclose his entire life, detailing all his imperfections, virtues, individual hang-ups, and childhood experiences.   He not only did this as a means of justifying the disposition of his adult self but to also show how children come into the world trusting and loving, and in what way they can be conditioned contrary to their true nature.   This paper will survey Rousseau’s Confessions and examine his human experience from the perspective of pedagogy, to include character develo
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