ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT Wait Hold That Thought First a

ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT

Wait, Hold That Thought • First, a quick message about the ‘test’… https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Yocja_N 5 s 1 I What is this ‘test’ John Green is talking about, and do you think you’re prepared?

What was the Enlightenment? What were it’s characteristics? What changes did it create? How have we been influenced by the Enlightenment?

BASICALLY… The Enlightenment was a movement away from absolute monarchy / absolute power, towards forms of government that protected the rights of its citizens and allowed them to participate in government

Hereditary Monarchy Personal Wealth Divine Right of Kings Control of Social / Cultural Life Centralization of Power Complete Control of Military Complete Control of Economy

Traditional (pre-Enlightenment) Thought Enlightenment Thought The universe is mysterious. A common person cannot understand the natural world The universe is fundamentally rational, that is, it can be understood through the use of reason alone A king/ruler has been put in power by God, and his/her authority is absolute. A government is only in power by the will of the people being governed. Common people need an educated, Human experience is the foundation of religious authority to explain the truth to human understanding of truth; authority them. is not to be preferred over experience. There is no connection between rules that Since the natural world is governed by govern the natural/animal world, and rules that certain scientific laws, so too should the govern human society. The same rules cannot human world be governed by basic laws. be applied to both. Human history repeats and simply reinforces tradition Human history is largely a history of progress Education is only an option for select people; common people should follow in the footsteps of their ancestors. Human beings can be improved through education and the development of their rational facilities The best way that we can understand the nature of the universe is by relying on religious belief and tradition. Religious belief and tradition should be challenged and scientifically tested to see if they are true

TODAY’S WORD Social Contract

At first, humans lived in anarchy. No rules, no order, no laws. • Much like an ICP concert— ask your parents)

To avoid violence and danger, people chose a ruler. The people and the ruler agreed to an unwritten Social Contract • To avoid violence and danger, people also told to avoid Davidson hallways during class change

People supposedly agreed to exchange individual liberty for group safety/social order • In other words, People got screwed

Thomas Hobbes • Philosopher/author. • Lived through English Civil War. Was disturbed by the chaos and violence it created. • Would have really disliked the 70’s

Said that, under the Social Contract, people only retained the right to protect their own lives. All other rights & freedoms are surrendered to the ruler. • Even your life is questionable

Favored a strong monarch who would maintain order & prevent repeat of the English Civil War. • Also followed Hitler and Stalin on twittter

Believed people act out of their own self-interest, with little regard for others. • Yes, Paris Hilton—Thomas Hobbes is talking to YOU!

Only strongest survive, so the absolute power of a strong ruler is needed to maintain order. • Read “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and felt compassion.

John Locke • Philosopher/author who also lived through English Civil War Said no ruler could claim absolute power because it goes against laws of nature for one creature to rule over another. • Unless you live in North Korea

• Accepted the idea of the Social Contract, but believed people only gave up some of their rights & freedoms • Retained right to party, according to Beastie Boys

Said we maintained three natural rights that rulers could not take away: life, liberty, and property. • Spoiler Alert: government can still take these things away

A ruler who denied people these basic rights was a tyrant and could justly be overthrown • Also could have severed head displayed in front of large crowd

Baron de Montesquieu • French philosopher and author • Said that it is dangerous to have all the power in government held by one person/branch of the government • Suggested a separation of powers within the government by having three branches that perform different government functions.

Emery’s List of Reasons to Hate the French #2—They think too much power is a bad thing Montesquieu marked the beginning of the “wussification” of the French (I kid, I kid) =

Jean Jacques Rousseau • Said that people are naturally good, but are corrupted by society. • Said that people naturally want to choose their government • Called for popular sovereignty— government is created by and controlled by the people • Opposed monarchy of any kind

Voltaire • French writer • Wrote satires criticizing the French monarchy, nobility, and religious officials • Twice imprisoned by French government for his criticisms • Spoke out against intolerance and suppression of personal freedoms • “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it” • Champion of religious freedom & freedom of speech