EXAM - English literature 2
William Congreve: The Old Batchelour, The Doubl-Dealer, Love for Love
15. The impact of Newton and the principles of natural philosophy on 17th-18th century poetry
and prose
Bacon’s method: inductive reasoning based on observation and exeriment.
Natural philosophy: understanding Nature. All beliefs and knowledge subjected to a rational examination
based on the evidence of fact as supported by the senses. Mathematical methods. Universe as great
machine. God’s beneficence. An Omnisient, infinitely wise and divine presence superintended the world.
Old belief of care-taking good Providence could now be proved as based on demonstrable fact – moral
assurance. Away medieval superstition. Clarification and rational conviction based on fact. Till then life
was mysterious. Discoveries. God’s law were shown directing things according to its natre and divine
order. Dawn of enlightenment. Scientists revealed a sysematic universe – God in Nature as the greatest of
artists.
annaabi.ee 
