The Enlightenment Thinkers Thomas Hobbes Country England Area
The Enlightenment Thinkers
Thomas Hobbes • Country: England • Area of Interest: – Human Nature – Society – Govt. /Politics • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – Govt. protects people from their own evils – Leviathan – The Social Contract • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Patriot Acts – Homeland Security – FBI, CIA, IRS, FDA….
John Locke • Country: England • Area of Interest: – Human Nature – Society – Govt. /Politics • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – – People are naturally good Have right to rule themselves Right to rebel against tyranny Second Treatise of Civil Govt. • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Declaration of Independence – Bill of Rights
Vladimirovich Putin • Country: Russia • Area of Interest: – Politics/Govt. – Martial Arts/ Outdoor activities – KGB • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – – – • Restore Russia’s military greatness Limit the role of NATO in former USSR Economic growth via energy & industry Meddling in U. S. elections Restricting free press Ukraine should be mine!!! Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Russia is in a long process of democratic regression & toward an authoritarian regime – He is the new Czar of Russia
Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (Montesquieu or “Monty”) • Country: France • Area of Interest: – Politics – Social Commentary I say Clements, a jolly good show! • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – Separation of Powers in Govt. – The Spirit of Laws – 3 Branches: 1) Executive, 2) Legislative, 3) Judicial • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Structure of U. S. Govt.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau • Country: Switzerland • Area of Interest: – Writing – Political Philosophy – Musical Composition • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – Liberty – Individual Rights – Direct Democracy / The General Will of the People – The Social Contract • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – U. S. Constitution – Bill of Rights – U. S. Govt. = Democ. Repub.
François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) • Country: France • Area of Interest: – – • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – – – • Justice & Freedom Common Good History Prolific Writer Against any form of prejudice & intolerance Supported rule by enlightened monarchs Separation of church & state Freedom of speech & religion Letters on the English Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Civil Rights Acts – Religious freedom = 1 st Amendment – Freedom of Speech, Press, Assembly = 1 st Amendment Rights Crush the damned thing!
Adam Smith • Country: Scotland • Area of Interest: Economics • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – – – Father of Modern Capitalism Laissez Faire = no govt. in econ. Invisible hand Wealth of Nations 3 Natural Econ. Laws: 1) supply & demand, 2) profit motive, 3) competition • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Market Economies – NAFTA – Stock market
Mary Wollstonecraft • Country: England • Area of Interest: Writing, Philosophy • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – Advocate for women’s rights & education – A Vindication of the Rights of Woman – Thoughts on the Education of Daughters • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Modern Feminism – Improved education for women
Olympe de Gouges • Country: France • Area of Interest: Journalist & Playwright • Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs: – Free speech – Analysis of women’s condition in society – Advocated emancipation of slaves – Declaration of the Rights of Women & the Female Citizen • Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today: – Strong advocate for women’s rights regarding divorce & unwed mother – Advocacy for the poor & underprivileged
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