The European Intellectual Revolution: “The Enlightenment”

Readings: Smith, et al., 759-767

Enlightenment is A Product of the Scientific Revolution

If you can know the “natural” world, then you should be able to know the “social, political, economic worlds.

Sir Isaac Newton was a model.

The goal was to make everyone happy.

Immanuel Kant

“What is Enlightenment”

“Don’t be Afraid to Know”

“Have Courage to Use Your Own Reason”

John Locke

Was English and lived from 1631-1704.

Two Treatises on Government: Political Liberalism and Representation.

John Locke felt that property was necessary to have a stake in the government.

Baron de Montesquieu

Was French and lived from 1689-1755.

Spirit of Laws: Separation of

Powers Checks and

Balances

Voltaire

Was French and lived from 1694-1778.

“Enlightened Despotism”

Religious Toleration

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Was French from 1712-1778.

The Social Contract: The General Will Public must be

generous Make other people

happy Private happiness

linked to public happiness

Emile

Education

The Woman Question

Idea of State religion: Nationalism, Patriotism

Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations (1776)

Laissez-faire economy

Free Trade

The Invisible Hand

Jeremy Bentham

Utalitarianism

Best Policy which promotes Greatest happiness of the greatest number.

Benjamin Franklin

Poor Richard’s Almanac

Public Opinion Coffee Houses Newspapers Academies Salons