Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning

Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning was written by William Wotton in 1694. It was a response to Sir William Temple's Essay upon Ancient and Modern Learning. The work engaged in the "Ancients and Moderns" debate, a literary dispute prevalent in the 17th century. This debate centered on whether the literature and learning of ancient Greece and Rome were the ultimate models for excellence, or if contemporary (modern) writers and thinkers could surpass them.1

Wotton argued that while the Ancients excelled in poetry, art, and oratory, the Moderns had surpassed them in most other branches of learning, particularly in the advancements brought by modern science. This perspective contributed to the ongoing discussion about intellectual progress and the value of classical versus contemporary knowledge.1