Enlightenment PhilosophersEnlightenment Philosophers

Dr. RobbinsDr. RobbinsWorld HistoryWorld History

Thomas HobbesThomas HobbesEnglish philosopher who English philosopher who wrote a book, wrote a book, Leviathan Leviathan (1651)(1651)Believed that:Believed that:

People were basically People were basically selfish, greedy, cruel; selfish, greedy, cruel; pessimistic view of pessimistic view of human naturehuman naturePeople agree to a People agree to a Social Social ContractContract with with government, in which government, in which they give up freedoms they give up freedoms for organized societyfor organized societyBest government was a Best government was a strong government, like strong government, like absolute monarchyabsolute monarchy

Hobbes’s Leviathan

John Locke John Locke 16321632--17041704

English philosopher who wrote English philosopher who wrote Two Treatises of GovernmentTwo Treatises of GovernmentBelieved that:Believed that:

People were basically People were basically reasonable and moral; reasonable and moral; had an optimistic view of had an optimistic view of human naturehuman natureHumans had natural rights to Humans had natural rights to life, liberty and propertylife, liberty and propertyGovernment must protect Government must protect those rightsthose rightsIf the government did not If the government did not protect those rights, the protect those rights, the people could overthrow the people could overthrow the government!government!

Influenced: revolutions in North Influenced: revolutions in North America & Latin America, and America & Latin America, and Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson’’s s DeclarationDeclaration……

Locke’s Two Treatises of Government

Baron de Baron de MontesquieuMontesquieu

16891689--17551755

French philosopher who French philosopher who wrote wrote The Spirit of the LawsThe Spirit of the Laws(1748)(1748)Believed that:Believed that:

Best way to protect Best way to protect liberty was to divide liberty was to divide government into 3 government into 3 separate branchesseparate branches

legislative, executive, legislative, executive, judicialjudicial

Each branch would check Each branch would check (or limit) the power of (or limit) the power of the other branches, the other branches, creating checks and creating checks and balances in govt.balances in govt.

Influenced: U.S. Influenced: U.S. ConstitutionConstitution

Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws

VoltaireVoltaire FranFranççoisois--Marie Marie ArouetArouet

16941694--17781778

French philosopher who wrote French philosopher who wrote many influential articles and many influential articles and essaysessaysWrote against:Wrote against:

Corrupt govt and idle aristocratsCorrupt govt and idle aristocratsInequality, injustice, superstitionInequality, injustice, superstition

Wrote for:Wrote for:Tolerance & freedom of speechTolerance & freedom of speech

Influenced: revolutions in the Influenced: revolutions in the Americas & in FranceAmericas & in France

Voltaire’s Candide

“It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.”

JeanJean-- Jacques Jacques RousseauRousseau

Wrote Wrote The Social Contract The Social Contract in in 17621762Swiss philosopherSwiss philosopherBelieved that:Believed that:

People were born good, but People were born good, but were corrupted by society & the were corrupted by society & the unequal distribution of wealthunequal distribution of wealthGovernments ruled with the Governments ruled with the ““consent of the governedconsent of the governed””(social contract)(social contract)Government control should be Government control should be minimal; direct democracy bestminimal; direct democracy bestGood of community more Good of community more important than individualimportant than individual

Influenced: revolutions in Influenced: revolutions in Americas & FranceAmericas & France

Rousseau’s The Social Contract

“As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State "What does it matter to me?" the State may be given up for lost.”

“Man is born free ad everywhere he is in chains.”

Mary Mary WollstonecraftWollstonecraft

17591759--17971797

British writer & social British writer & social critic who wrote critic who wrote A Vindication of the A Vindication of the Rights of WomenRights of Women (in (in 1792)1792)Believed that:Believed that:

WomanWoman’’s first duty was s first duty was as mother, but woman as mother, but woman could make decisions on could make decisions on her own w/out husbandher own w/out husbandEqual education for girls Equal education for girls & boys would prepare & boys would prepare women to participate women to participate equally in public lifeequally in public life

Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women

“I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.”

“[I]f we revert to history, we shall find that the women who have distinguished themselves have neither been the most beautiful nor the most gentle of their sex.”

Impact of the EnlightenmentImpact of the Enlightenment

Enlightenment philosophers challenged Enlightenment philosophers challenged traditional ideas about society includingtraditional ideas about society including

Divine right of kingsDivine right of kingsUnion of church & stateUnion of church & stateUnequal social classesUnequal social classes

They inspired revolutions in America, They inspired revolutions in America, France, etc.France, etc.

Enlightenment Philosophers Led toEnlightenment Philosophers Led to

Belief in ProgressBelief in ProgressPeople could make social progress by using People could make social progress by using reason & logicreason & logicPhilosophers called for more social equality, Philosophers called for more social equality, improved education, end of slaveryimproved education, end of slavery

More Secular OutlookMore Secular OutlookPeople could now explain the universe thru People could now explain the universe thru science, not only thru religionscience, not only thru religionCritics attacked some practices of organized Critics attacked some practices of organized religion, wanted more tolerancereligion, wanted more tolerance

Importance of the individualImportance of the individualEncouraged people to develop & trust their Encouraged people to develop & trust their own ability to reasonown ability to reasonGovernment is formed by individuals to Government is formed by individuals to promote & protect themselvespromote & protect themselvesEmphasis on individual worth in societyEmphasis on individual worth in society