CLASSICS through the Revolutionary War
HUMAN NATURE 1. Man must be governed by
reason (logic) as opposed to emotion or intuition
SOCIETY 2. Ruled by tradition – unchanging rules
and laws
Traditional Hierarchies
The Universe
God
Angels
Mankind
Animals
Plants
Rocks
Society
King /Queen
Nobles
Merchants
Peasants
Criminals
(No mobility)
Family
Father
Mother
Oldest son
Sons
Daughters
Servants
Man
Reason/logic
3. The common good is more important than
individual good (rights) (war)
NATURE 4. Birth of scientific analysis
5. Nature is to be exploited
STYLE Classics value clarity, order, and structure
 Ex. Nonfiction – mostly political/practical; purpose to illustrate the
classic way of thinking
 Ex. Poetry
LOGICAL
RATIONAL
REASONABLE