Enlightenment

Lesson 1: Philosophy in the Age of Reason

Chapter 5.1

Describe how scientific progress promoted

trust in human reason. Explain how the social contract and separation

of powers affected views on government Outline how new ideas affected society and

the economy

Objectives

Enlightenment thinkers tried to apply the law

as of nature to human society. Their political ideas included the concepts of natural rights, separation of powers, checks and balances, and Freedom of thought. Their economic ideas included the policies of laissez faire and a free market.

Big Idea

Please complete the “Do Now” activity on your

daily notes sheet.

Warm up

What is the role of government in

our life?

How did government change throughout modern history?

Focus Questions

Government during the Middle Ages

Absolutism The “divine right of rule” The feudal system

Progress and Reason

Scientific Revolution 1500s & 1600s

Advancements in the 1700s Joseph Priestley Antoine Lavoisier Edward Jenner-

small pox

Natural Laws Enlightenment

Think-Pair-Share

How did the achievements of the Scientific Revolution contribute to the Enlightenment?

Social Contract

Hobbes Leviathan

People are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish

Social contract Gave up state of

nature for an organized society

Locke People are basically

reasonable & moral Natural Rights

Life, liberty, property

Two Treatises of Government Govt to protect

natural rights People have the right

to overthrow the govt

Think-Pair-Share

Who do you agree with more- Locke or Hobbes? Why.

Separation of Powers

Montesquieu 1700s Studied Euro govts

Spirit of Laws 3 branches-

Legislative, Executive, Judicial Checks and

balances

Philosophes (“lovers of Wisdom”)

Voltaire Francois-Marie Arouet Targeted corrupt

officials and idle aristocrats

Battled inequality, injustice and superstition

Freedom of speech Exiled

Denis Diderot 28-volume Encyclopedia

Govt, philosophy, religion Articles by leading thinkers Denounced slavery,

praised freedom of expression, urged edu

Critics Govt- attack on public

morals Catholic Church

Philosophes

Rousseau Poor upbringing People in their

natural state are basically good

The Social Contract Some controls

needed, but minimal freely elected govts

Community above individual

Women

Salon Activity Women and Enlightenment Limited rights Excluded from Social

Contract Germaine de Stael Catharine

Macaulay Mary

Wollstonecraft A Vindication of the

Rights of Women

New Economic Thinking

Physiocrats- focus on economic reports, looking at rational laws to define economic system

Laissez-Faire Business operates

w/little to no govt

Adam Smith British economist The Wealth of Nations

Manufacturing, trade, wages, profits, and econ growth linked to supply and demand

Govt duty to protect society, administer justice, provide public works

Activity

Think of ways to remember the other philosophes. The cornier the better!!!

Closure

How did the new economic thinking reflect Enlightenment?