Foundations
Developed by E.O. Wilson, this theory links together principles across different academic subjects, such as science and the Humanities.
Consilience
It refers to the study of the creative and intellectual contributions of all human cultures.
Humanities
This Italian, artistic term refers to the creation of the illusion of depth through gradations of light and shadow.
Chiaroscuro
This type of art points out human or individual weaknesses or shortcomings by using ridicule, derision, irony, or other methods - often with the intent to expose or correct.
Satire
This philosophical theory states that reality is a mental construction, or that the object of external perception consists of ideas.
Idealism
This term refers to an economy based on industrial, factory-based work, rather than agricultural or rural professions.
Industrialism
These are unifying ideas that are repeated or developed throughout a literary or artistic work.
Themes
Aristotle called achieving a balance between too much of a trait and too little of a trait this.
The Golden Mean
This two-word term describes an individual with broad knowledge and versatile talents, spanning many intellectual and artistic disciplines.
Renaissance man/woman
This belief system holds that God created the natural laws that govern nature, but that God does not directly intervene or interfere in any way.
Deism
This philosophical movement during the Romantic era emphasized feeling over reason, and the role of the individual in finding an intuitive relationship to the universe through solitude and nature.
Transcendentalism
This two-word philosophical term refers to a belief that physical reality, as seen through the natural sciences, is all that truly exists.
Scientific materialism
This term refers to that which separates one unique person from another, as well as the social and philosophical viewpoint that celebrates that difference.
Individualism
This form of government uses direct rule by the people and was developed by the Greeks.
Democracy
This German priest began the Protestant Reformation by arguing that salvation is granted based on faith rather than deeds or works.
Martin Luther
This philosophical school of thought states that all knowledge is discovered through our human senses.
Empiricism
This artistic trend - that took place in Europe in the 19th century - borrowed and glorified cultural aspects from non-Western civilizations and cultures.
Exoticism
This ethical, philosophical approach (developed by John Stuart Mill) emphasizes making pragmatic ethical decisions for the greater good – often phrased as “doing the greatest good for the greatest number”.
Utilitarianism
It refers to the aesthetic attitudes and principles found in the art, architecture, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
Classicism
This analytical method of reasoning, developed by a Greek philosopher, asks a progression of questions in pursuit of the truth.
The Socratic Method
This two-word term refers to the religious movement of the 16th century to reform the Roman Catholic Church, which resulted in the creation of Protestant churches.
Protestant Reformation
This term refers to the steady march of advancements made in certain intellectual areas that allow humanity to develop and grow.
Progress
Often the main character of a Romantic novel, this two-word term refers to an exceptional and gifted loner, perhaps misunderstood, who is driven to follow personal passions rather than traditional societal expectations.
Byronic Hero
This term refers to the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection, developed by biologist Charles Darwin.
Darwinism
This Greek term refers to selfless love of one person for another on a spiritual level, or love of pure beauty, either aesthetic or intellectual.
Agape
In ancient Greece, they were the goddesses of inspiration for literature, art, and science.
The Muses
This philosophical point-of-view emphasizes the role of reason, over the senses, in gaining knowledge.
Rationalism
This 35-volume text, that took 22 years to create and utilized more than 180 writers, was the crowning achievement of the Neoclassical philosophes.
Encyclopédie
This term refers to a quality of greatness or vastness that is beyond calculation, comparison, or imitation; it is often used in reference to nature or natural phenomena.
The sublime
This late 19th century art movement emphasized simplified composition and the effect of light and color to capture a painter's visual impression.
Impressionism