Abstract:

In the 18^th century, developing commerce became the primary strategy of all nations. In order to expand the market and increase profits, mercantile systems prevailed. Nations were at war with each other and the strong were suppressing the weak. The above facts contributed to the growth of a new empire. Accordingly, Enlightenment thinkers saw the 18^th century was an age of unprecedent crisis with religious fanaticism turning into actual politics, and the failure to cope with the change led to “the end of the Enlightenment”. The sense of decline was reflected in Fran?ois Fénelon’s critique of the problems of the times, as evidenced by the William Hogarth’s print, which also deepened the feeling of catastrophe of the French Revolution. Consequently, people in the 18^th century constantly attempted to plan alternative futures in systematic treatises to change the world or vague projects promising speedy social or political transformation. For example, Daniel Defoe and Benjamin Franklin offered reflections on war. The engraving of “The Times” criticized the turbulent reality in an allegorical and vivid way. Above all, ‘the end of the Enlightenment’ recreates the profound political dilemma of the late 18^th century, which implies a general anxiety of the contemporary. It is important for us today to advance thinking by examining the idea of the end of the Enlightenment.

Key words: the end of the Enlightenment, political crisis, commerce, war, project