The English Philosophes and the French Revolution

Among the intellectual forces that gave the eighteenth century its claim to be called the Age of Reason, or of Enlightenment, none is more important than the Philosophical Society. It transcended all national barriers and linked the scientists of Europe together in an international fraternity, which extended also to America. Though their principal interests were scientific, the philosophes shared, to a large extent, a common outlook in religious and political matters.

They discussed, across national boundaries, the progressive amelioration of the sciences which would lead to a new condition of mankind, in which prosperity, liberty and toleration would be afforded to all. The members of the famous Lunar Society of Birmingham, for example, were actively interested in political reform in England, in America, and, of course, in France. They were travelled men.