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The EnlightenmentWorld Civilizations
Madison Southern High School
What’s the Story?!
• Advances in Science resulted in a scientific revolution and convinced people of the power of reason.
• What does it mean to use “reason”?
• This is the ability to think logically and solve a problem. Reason could be used to help society.
What Else?
• The Enlightenment was a time of optimism where it was believed that reason could be used to solve all human problems.
• Paris was the center of this intellectual movement.
• People began to question the government and its role in their lives.
And there’s more…
• The reign of Louis XIV (14), his great grandson Louis XV (15), and his great-great grandson Louis XVI (16), helped to prompt the movement.
What About GIRLS?!
• Wealthy Parisian women hosted gatherings called salons to discuss these ideas.
• The ideas that were discussed in Salons began to spread through writing.
New Views on Government
Thomas Hobbes
• Leviathan (1651).
• People are selfish and greedy.
• We need government to maintain order.
• Should give up freedoms to a strong leader in order to achieve safety – Social Contract.
• Believed the best form of government was an absolute monarchy.
John Locke
• Two Treatises on Government (1690).
• People were naturally tolerant and reasonable.
• We’re born with three natural rights – Life, Liberty, and Property.
• Purpose of government is to protect those rights.
• If government failed to do so, it should be overthrown by the governed.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
• French philosopher (1712-1778).
• His major work, The Social Contract, was significant.
• Government should work for the benefit of the common good.
• Argued that people were born innocent and were good at heart.
• It was civilization that corrupted people.
• Best government was a Direct Democracy.
Baron de Montesquieu
• The Spirit of Laws (1758).
• Argued that the best form of government included a separation of powers.
• Advocated for various branches of government.
• A separation of political powers ensured freedom and liberty for people.
• Ideas influenced the United States government.
New Views on Society
Voltaire• French, 1712-1788.
• Essay on the Customs and Spirits of Nations (1756).
• Wrote against the injustices of society – free speech.
• “Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.”
• “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”
• “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Diderot
• French, 1713-1784.
• Wrote an Encyclopedia to compile all the new works being written at the time.
• 17 volumes, thousands of articles, questioned religion.
• Criticized intolerance, legal injustice, and anachronistic (outdated) social institutions.
Mary Wollstonecraft
• English, 1759-1797.
• Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792).
• Rejected the idea that the new philosophies only applied to men.
• “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.”
Adam Smith
• English, 1723-1790.
• Major work – Wealth of Nations.
• Argued for a free market economy – Laissez Faire.
• Government should rarely intervene in the market.
• The natural spirit of competition in human beings means they will improve their lives themselves.
Final Thoughts
• In your opinion, which philosopher makes the most sense to you?
• Which philosophers ideas do you not agree with?