The Discovery of the New World and the Transformations of Renaissance Philosophy and Science

Cílem práce je analyzovat filosofické myšlení, které se rozvíjelo v důsledku objevení Nového světa. Představeny a reflektovány budou konkrétně především tři dobové filosofické proudy, které na objevení Ameriky reagovaly: utopismus, skepticismus a přírodní filosofie (More, Montaigne, Bacon). Stěžejní pozornost bude potom věnována myšlení utopickému a idealizujícím tendencím, které se projevovaly při interpretaci Nového světa.ObhájenoThe main topic of this bachelor thesis is the discovery of the New World and the change of Renaissance philosophy and science in this context. The key attention is to be drawn at the reflection of the New World´s discovery in works of renaisance authors and meanwhile the structure of the science system in the context of overseas discoveries is reflected upon. As well as this, three philosophical movements which reacted on this historical period through their philosophical views are included. These are scepticism, utopism and the natural philosophy.The criterion of the choice of philosophers reflecting the discovery of the New World was the differentiation in opinions on the perception of the situation in America. Michele de Montaigne represents the critics of the behaviour of conquistadors, defends the idea of the protection of natives and critisizes European conquering behaviour in public. Francis Bacon being a little restrained in critics understands the New World as a place of future scientific investigations. Thomas More, the representant of the utopistic philosophy, thinks about an idealistic society which could emerge on the new continent. At the end of the thesis, all reflected philosophical movements are evaluated, as each of them brought a different point of view at the given period. The comparison is the subject to the philosophical thinking and opinions of Francis Bacon and Michele de Montaigne. The opinions of philosophers on the discovery of the New World could be inspirative even in the world of the 21st century