What is meant by the Enlightenment? Was it a self-contained idea developed by a group of great thinkers, or did it emerge from the culmination of debate, disagreement, and the multiple opinions sparked by various issues of that time? What was the ultimate goal that critics and thinkers intended to achieve? Was the Enlightenment purely revolutionary thought, or was it a contributing factor to the revolutions that followed? Did the Enlightenment hold the same meaning for both men and women? For the rich and the poor? For Europeans and non-Europeans?

In this important new reference, author Dorinda Outram addresses these questions and other inquiries related to the concept of the Enlightenment. She clearly presents all angles of the debate during this period regarding broader social changes, such as the beginning of industrialization in Europe, the establishment of new colonial empires, and the exploration of then-unknown parts of the world. This distinguished approach makes the study indispensable for anyone interested in the modern history of Europe.

About the Author:

Dorinda Outram teaches history at the University of Cork. She was a visiting professor at Harvard University where she taught the history of science. Her previous works include 'The Body and the French Revolution' (1989).

About the Translator:

Majed Morris Ibrahim, the translator of this book and author of the Arabic introduction, has published several articles in literary and cultural periodicals. His previous works published by Dar Al-Farabi include 'Psychology of Oppression and Creativity' and 'Terrorism: The Phenomenon and Its Psychological Dimensions,' which won the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences award for the best book written in Arabic in the humanities in 2006.

• Publishing House: Dar Al-Farabi for Publishing & Distribution
• Year of Publication: 2008
• Number of Pages: 384
• Cover Type: Paperback
• ISBN: 9789953713670