New Scientific Ideas & Political Ways of Thinking
Polish Astronomer Studied planetary movements for 25 years Developed Heliocentric Theory = Sun centered universe Feared ridicule and persecution = did not publish his discoveries until 1543 (year he died) On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies
Italian mathematician who faced opposition from Catholics He built his own telescope and reinforced that theory that the Earth revolves around the sun He publish these ideas and the Catholic Church banned his book Pope Urban VIII put him on trial, after the trial he worked on the law of physics, such as the law of inertia
Used the scientific method to study math/science An outbreak of the plague sent him home from Cambridge, where he was a mediocre student. Once home an apple fell on his head and he came up with the Idea of gravity He later published many theories about gravity
Age of Reason – Height mid 1700s Enlightenment philosophers admired scientists’ use of reason to understand the natural world. These philosophers promoted the use of reason to understand government, religion, education, and economics. They advocated government reform and social improvement. Paris became the place for discussion of politics and ideas (Philosophes = French philosophers) People began to believe they could apply reason to all aspects of life (just as Newton applied reason to Science
WWhat was the Enlightenment? It was a revolution in intellectual activity that changed Europeans’ view of government and society. WWhy It Matters Now: Freedoms, rights, and some forms of government today are the result of Enlightenment thinking.
TTHINKER: HHobbes LLocke VVoltaire MMontesquieu RRousseau BBeccaria WWollstonecraft KKEY IDEA: SSocial Contract CConsent of the Governed TTolerance SSeparation of Powers GGovernment by general will AAbolition of Torture AAccess to education for women (Women’s rights)
Thomas Hobbes ◦ An English Philosopher who came up with an idea called natural law (an absolute monarchy is the best form of government). ◦ Violence and disorder came to those without an absolute government (Leviathan) ◦ People should form a social contract, which is an agreement that gives up freedom to live obediently under one ruler ◦ People have no right to rebel/overthrow gov’t
John Locke ◦ English Philosopher who also believes that a social contract is necessary for order ◦ however he believes people are reasonable and have natural rights (life, liberty and property). ◦ He wrote the Two Treaties of Government which stated people created the government to protect these rights, if the government does not, then people have to right to overthrow the government. ◦ Many of his ideas are present in the Declaration of Independence.
Philosophes = 5 important aspects of Life ◦ Reason ◦ Nature ◦ Happiness ◦ Progress ◦ Liberty
Voltaire = Wrote books supporting Bacon & Newton ◦ Freedom of speech, press, religion, etc... Montesquieu = Separation of Powers ◦ Legislative, Judicial, Executive ◦ Believed in rights of an individual Rousseau = Individual Freedom ◦ Civilization corrupted people’s goodness ◦ People were born equal – titles of nobility should be abolished
““I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” -Voltaire; freedom of speech/press ““Power should be a check to power.” -Montesquieu; separation of powers ““Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” -Rousseau; civilization has corrupted thestate of nature. ““Let women share the rights and she will emulate the virtues of men. -Wollstonecraft; give women equal rights and they will display men’s goodness.
Circulation of Ideas-salons, encyclopedias, books, letters, magazines, pamphlets Art and Literature-neoclassical art, classical music, novels Monarchs-Fredrick the Great, Joseph II, Catherine the Great Salons- Hosted by wealthy, middle-class women interested in educating themselves; artists and thinkers shared ideas; held in private homes; free to speak without fear of jail or exile.
IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights-life, liberty, property LockeFundamental to US Dec. of Ind. Separation of PowersMontesquieuFrance, US, Latin American nations use sep. of pwrs. In constitution Freedom of thought & Expression VoltaireGuaranteed in US B of R, Fr Dec. of Rts. Of man & Citizen, European monarchs reduce or eliminate censorship Religious FreedomVoltaireGuaranteed in US B of R, Fr Dec. of Rts. Of man & Citizen, European monarchs reduce persecution
Scientific Revolution Heliocentric challenges geocentric Math & observation support Helio Sci. Method develops Scientists make discoveries in many fields. A new way of thinking about the world develops – based on observation & a willingness to question assumptions Enlightenment People try to apply scientific approach to all aspects of society Political scientists propose new ideas about gov’t Philosophes advocate use of reason to discover truths. Philosophes address social issues through reason. Enlightenment writers challenge many accepted ideas about gov’t & society Spread of Enlightenment En. Ideas appeal to thinkers & artists across Europe Salons help spread En. Ideas spread to literate middle class Enlightened despots attempt reform Enlightenment ideas sweep through European society & also to Colonial America American Rev. En. Ideas influence colonists Britain taxes colonies after Fr & Indian War Colonists denounce taxation without representation War begins in Lexington & Concord Colonists declare Independence, defeats GB & establish a republic