THE ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS Denis Diderot The Encyclopedia 1751

THE ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS

Denis Diderot The Encyclopedia (1751 -1765) • Compilation of articles on science, technology, industry, law, and religion • Teach people how to think critically - question

Voltaire “Francois Marie Arouet” • THE major proponent of FREEDOM of RELIGION and SPEECH • FREE SPEECH/NO CENSORSHIP = “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” • Dislike of organized religion = “Crush the horrible thing” • DEISM - Belief that God has created a rational orderly universe with natural laws but who no longer intervenes in the course of events - GOD = the great “Clockmaker” Pessimistic outlook: 1. Does not believe humans worthy to rule themselves 2. Does not believe in social/political equality 3. Admires the English constitutional system, but …. • ENLIGHTENED MONARCH – Monarch who uses their power, even absolute power, for the good of the people = Best Government to hope for! “Once the common people begin to reason, then everything is lost” • Voltaire’s lack of optimism is reflected in perhaps his most famous work, Candide – as Candide travels with companions, one disaster after another is encountered – the world is harsh and filled with creulties – man can only find contentment through private, inner solace – “one must cultivate one’s own garden”

John Locke Second Treatise on Civil Government (1690) • Believed in SOCIAL CONTRACT Theory = because of the inherent dangers of the “state of nature” and the desire for safety, order, and stability, governments must be formed = People work together to form governments and establish a civil society Rulers are to protect and promote common interests • Power to rule comes from the “consent of the governed” = authority is derived from the people • People have NATURAL RIGHTS = LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTY (remember that “property” is here because Locke thought that only those of property had a vested interest and stake in government) = born with and cannot be taken away! • Main function of government is to protect natural rights – Locke said “The great and chief end, therefore, of men’s uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property. ” • People have “right to rebel against tyranny” if government fails to protect natural rights • “Tabula Rasa” – Man is born a blank slate – shaped by observations, experiences, and education But reasonable and able to govern their own affairs. Locke’s Essay on Human Understanding • Limited Monarchy – best form of government? • Locke is the main influence on Thomas Jefferson and Declaration of Independence

Jean Jacques Rousseau The Social Contract (1762) • The “state of man” vs. the “state of nature” - “state of man” = Noble Savage = man is born into civilization basically good and uncorrupted BUT “man is born free but everywhere is in chains” – Why? = Effects of Civilization – But why needed? “state of nature” = competition, anarchy, fear, no morality • Social Contract – The main question = How can people unite together to overcome the obstacles of the state of nature and protect each other, but still obey oneself and remain free as is man’s natural state? • Popular Sovereignty – people are source of political power – people must have a role in making laws to which they submit – obey laws, obey yourself • General Will – a kind of consensus of the best interests of all the people – people must submit their individual will to the “general will” which can’t be wrong because it expresses every man’s common will – therefore, to obey the “general will” is to be free. Therefore, freedom = obedience to the law • Under certain circumstances people must be “forced to be free” as society is more important than its individual members • Does he advocate Democracy? ? Majority rule? ?

Montesquieu The Spirit of Laws (1748) • Main question examined: “What would promote liberty and prevent tyranny? ” 1. DIVIDE POLITICAL POWER = Branches of government 2. “Checks and Balances” = prevent one branch from becoming too powerful and usurping power • Main influence on structure of U. S. Constitution (executive, legislative, judicial branches) • NOT a democrat – he had the typical wariness of the common people, the uneducated, and the poor that most other Enlightenment philosophers had • He was a great admirer of the English system and its balance of power • The Persian Letters • A satirical response to the rule of Louis XVI – a critique of the government written through amusing letters by Persian travelers who see and discuss European beliefs and practices

Adam Smith On The Wealth of Nations (1776) MERCANTILISM CAPITALISM