The Enlightenment What exciting conclusion did philosophers reach

The Enlightenment

What exciting conclusion did philosophers reach during the Enlightenment? Reason could be used to solve all human problems.

Thomas Hobbes • English thinker, wrote views of government in Leviathan • Absolute monarchy best • Believed people needed government to impose order –People selfish, greedy –Should exchange some freedoms for peace, safety, order –Social contract

John Locke • English philosopher, believed all people born equal • Government should protect people’s natural rights –Monarchs not chosen by God –Government by consent –Power limited by laws –Ideas foundation for modern democracy Wrote “Two Treatises on Government”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau French philosopher, believed people basically good • Believed society corrupted people • Wrote The Social Contract, contract between all members of society “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains. ”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau • Believed government should work for common good, not wealthy few • Individuals should give up some freedoms for benefit of community • Despised inequality in society • Views inspired revolutionaries in years to come

Baron de Montesquieu • Separation of powers • Best form of government divided power among branches of government • Separation of powers kept individual or group from abusing power • The Spirit of the Laws -Published 1748, showed admiration of Great Britain’s government

Baron de Montesquieu • Powers divided into branches: legislative, executive, judicial • Parliament made laws, king carried out laws, courts interpreted laws • Separation of powers allowed each branch to check against power of others • Concept later important structure of democratic governments

Some Enlightenment philosophers focused on government, others on issues in society

Voltaire • Francois-Marie Arouet, wrote as Voltaire • Outspoken philosopher, wrote with biting wit –Attacked injustice among nobility, government, church –Created enemies, imprisoned twice - Believed in religious toleration and separation of church and state

Voltaire • –Exiled to England for two years • –Defended principles, fought superstition, ignorance • –Lifelong struggle for justice, toleration, liberty

Mary Wollstonecraft • Enlightenment thinkers still held traditional views about women • Proper roles wives, mothers; should receive limited education • Wollstonecraft demanded equal rights for women • A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, equal education for women

Adam Smith • Scottish economist, used reason to analyze economic systems • The Wealth of Nations advanced free market enterprise • Strong believer in laissez-faire economics, no government regulation • Believed economy would be stronger if market forces of supply and demand were allowed to work freely

Key Ideas of the Enlightenment • The ability to reason is what makes humans unique • Reason can be used to solve problems and improve people’s lives • Reason can free people from ignorance, superstition, and unfair government

Key Ideas of the Enlightenment • The natural world can be governed by laws that can be discovered through reason • Like the natural world, human behavior is governed by natural laws • Governments should reflect natural laws and encourage education and debate

Enlightenment Influence on Politics • philosophies fueled revolutions • Inspired the Declaration of Independence • Constitution and U. S. Bill of Rights also incorporated Enlightenment ideas

Enlightened Monarchs • The new political ideas also affected the leadership of some eighteenth-century European monarchs. The ideals of tolerance, justice, and the improvement of people’s lifestyle became guidelines for the rulers known as Enlightened Monarchs, such as Joseph II of Austria and Frederick II of Prussia.

Enlightened Monarchs • To be sure, they still ruled absolutely, but they internalized the Enlightenment philosophy and made attempts to tolerate diversity, increased opportunity for serfs, and take on the responsibilities that required their rule.