The Enlightenment Key Ideas Enlightenment philosophers admire scientists

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The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment

Key Ideas Enlightenment philosophers admire scientists’ use of reason to understand the natural world.

Key Ideas Enlightenment philosophers admire scientists’ use of reason to understand the natural world. – Enlightened thinkers wanted to use reason to fix problems. Promote reason to understand government, religion, education, and economics. Want to change the government & improve society

Thomas Hobbes Believed people always acted in their own self interest Government needed to

Thomas Hobbes Believed people always acted in their own self interest Government needed to keep order Life w/o gov’t = solitary, poor, short.

John Locke Thought people were reasonable & had natural ability to govern themselves Purpose

John Locke Thought people were reasonable & had natural ability to govern themselves Purpose of government = protect natural rights of life, liberty, and property Wrote Two Treatises on Gov’t.

Voltaire Tolerance, reason, Freedom of: thought, expression, and religious belief Enlightened Despotism- Rational monarchs

Voltaire Tolerance, reason, Freedom of: thought, expression, and religious belief Enlightened Despotism- Rational monarchs protect people’s rights (freedom of speech, religion, etc. ) “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ”

Montesquieu Idea of Separation of Powers (3 branches of government) Checks & Balances -

Montesquieu Idea of Separation of Powers (3 branches of government) Checks & Balances - keep any individual or group from gaining complete control of the government Wrote The Spirit of the Laws.

Rousseau Viewed government as a Social Contract among free individuals to create a society

Rousseau Viewed government as a Social Contract among free individuals to create a society guided by the “general will” Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.

Mary Wollstonecraft Argued for women’s education and political participation Believed women, like men, need

Mary Wollstonecraft Argued for women’s education and political participation Believed women, like men, need education to become upright and useful

How did Enlightenment writers and thinkers set the stage for revolutionary movements? Encouraged people

How did Enlightenment writers and thinkers set the stage for revolutionary movements? Encouraged people – to judge for themselves what was right or wrong in society – Rely on human reason to solve social problems

Whose ideas are most like your own? Why? Hobbes – People are selfish, selfserving,

Whose ideas are most like your own? Why? Hobbes – People are selfish, selfserving, and brutal. – Without control, society would be chaotic Locke – People are reasonable and able to make decisions. – People should be able to rule themselves.

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Prepare for cuteness

The End

The End