Final answer:
The term 'coffee house' society refers to the intellectual and social hubs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries where people from different backgrounds could gather to discuss and exchange a wide array of Enlightenment ideas. These establishments were pivotal in supporting the public sphere outside the control of state and church. Coffeehouses offered a space for those who might not have access to formal education to engage in intellectual culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herman B. Wells referred to the Book Nook as “a remarkably fertile cultural and political breeding place in the manner of the famous English coffee houses.” The term “coffee house” society refers to the public sphere of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that served as shared spaces for socializing and intellectual exchange, vital to the spread of Enlightenment ideas. During this era, coffeehouses were not only places to enjoy a beverage but also venues where intellectual, political, and cultural discussions were freely held. Patrons of these establishments, often male, came from a variety of social backgrounds, although the poorest usually had limited accessibility due to their work commitments.
These establishments allowed for rapid circulation of ideas, facilitating the flourishing print culture of the Enlightenment. For the price of a cup of coffee, patrons could engage in conversations that included political dissent, scientific debate, and cultural discussions. Coffeehouses and salons of this period supported the rise of a public sphere that was separate from state and church control, which fostered the free and open exchange of ideas. Elite women hosted salons which were the counterparts of coffeehouses; however, these tended to cater to a more privileged sector of society, whereas coffeehouses were more inclusive.
Unlike universities and formal educational institutions of the time, which were often inaccessible to most of the population, European coffeehouses were derived from Islamic world traditions and became integral spaces in cities across Europe. This created an environment that allowed even those without wealth or formal education to participate in informed discussions and contribute to the intellectual climate of the time.