The Enlightenment

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The Enlightenment

• Philosophers

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The Enlightenment

• European movement (1600-1700s) in which thinkers
  attempted to apply the principles of reason and
  the scientific method to all aspects of society.
• AKA The Age of Reason
• Characteristics
• Applied reason to the human world (governments,
  laws, economies) not just the natural world
  (science).
• Led to religious tolerance
• Led to democratic revolutions

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English Philosophers
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Thomas Hobbes

• Thomas Hobbes
• 1588-1679
• English philosopher
• Social Contract

• Lived through the English Civil War and thought
  it showed how terrible man could be
• Said people must have a strong king to control
  their worst instincts and that people must give
  that king certain freedoms in exchange for order.
• He called this exchange of freedom for order a
  SOCIAL CONTRACT

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Thomas Hobbes Cont.

• Beliefs
• Natural state of man is war/competition, not
  cooperation
• Strong central government needed to keep order
• Supported Absolute Monarchy (rule of a strong
  king/queen)
• Supported a social contract (Agreement between
  the government and the governed)

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John Locke

• Famous Work Two Treatises on Government
• Beliefs
• Governments power comes from the people.
• Governments job is to protect people and their
  rights.
• Did NOT support Absolute Monarchy
• People are born free and equal with three Natural
  Rights
• Life
• Liberty
• Property
• Greatly inspired Thomas Jeffersons writing of
  the Declaration of Independence.

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French Philosophes
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Baron de Montesquieu

• Famous Work The Spirit of Laws
• Beliefs
• Government should include separation of powers
• Legislative Branch Makes laws
• Executive Branch Enforces laws
• Judicial Branch Interprets laws

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Separation of Power
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Jean Jacques Rousseau

• Famous Work The Social Contract
• Beliefs
• Government is a contract between people and their
  rulers.
• Rulers are elected by the people, and all people
  are equal.
• People must agree to give government some
  authority in exchange for protection of their
  rights.

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Voltaire

• Famous Work Candide
• Beliefs
• Religious tolerance and freedom of religion 1st
  Amendment to U.S. Constitution
• Separation of church and state (government)
  U.S. Constitution
• Freedom of speech - 1st Amendment to U.S.
  Constitution

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The Enlightenment

• Philosophies of the enlightenment fueled
  revolutions in the Americas and France