The Influence of Jesuits on Enlightenment Thought

This chapter explores the significant role of Jesuits in shaping Enlightenment thought, focusing on their contributions to universal histories of philosophy and comparative religion. It discusses the Jesuits' attempts to find connections between ancient religions and Catholicism, their role in the emergence of religious ecumenism, and the influence of Jesuit missionary scholars on the questioning of traditional religious doctrines. The chapter also examines the Jesuits' impact on the French Enlightenment and their contributions to historical criticism.