Enlightenment

EnlightenmentDuring the Enlightenment, people began to use reason and critical thinking to solve the mysteries of the world.

They focused on observing the world around them and drawing conclusions based on evidence, not superstitions.

In ancient times, people believed that the gods were responsible for the things that happened on Earth.

Isaac Newton

• Observed, questioned, and experimented on the world around him

• Discovered the laws of gravity and motion

• Invented calculus

• Discovered secrets of light and color

• Inspired science and reason

Rene Descartes

• Father of modern philosophy

• Famous quote: • “I think, therefore I am.”

•Questioned everything

Thomas Hobbes• Thought humans were cruel,

greedy, and selfish and could not be trusted to make good choices.

• He thought government should be all powerful.

• People needed strong leaders, strict laws, and stiff punishments.

John Locke• Opposite of Hobbes – Thought each person

in the world was born a “blank page” not good OR bad

• Peoples’ experiences allowed them to grow and become good or bad depending on their life

• Job of government: to protect peoples’ natural rights and freedom

• Peoples’ natural rights = life, liberty, and property

• If the government doesn’t do its job, it should be overthrown!!

Baron de Montesquieu• Believed the governments’ powers should be separated and shared.• Three branches of

government so no ONE branch was too powerful

Results of the Enlightenment• People met and discussed

these new ideas in “salons”, or parties.

• These new ideas made people think about freedom and their rights.

• They questioned the way things were and decided that they wanted change!