The Enlightenment Dare to Know!

The Enlightenment Defined Generally, refers to the political, economic, and social thought produced in the period from the late 17th and early 18th century Ends around 1792 with the wars of the French Revolution and the Romantic Era Three Primary Events are considered sparks in the 1680’sRevocation of the Edict of Nantes in France, 1685 Demonstrated the arbitrary, unreasonableness of rule by absolute monarchy Impacted all of Europe as 250,000 left France for the Netherlands, England, Brandenburg and other Protestant German states, and America

The Enlightenment Defined (cont.) Demonstrated reasonableness of nature and great possibility of human understanding Began the view of Nature being synonymous with God Publication of Newton’s Theory of Gravitation, 1687 Caused by the attempt at absolute rule by King James II Demonstrated the possibilities of constitutional government and orderly change of government Glorious Revolution in England, 1688

The Enlightened Folks Scholars felt that all events were governed by "natural laws" Scholars believed in the existence of other natural laws governing all political, economic, and social affairs of humans Examine the problem Formulate questions and formulate hypotheses Try solutions; hard to do in real-world situations Scholars attempted to follow the scientific model to produce improved life

The Enlightened Folks Philosophes The major activity of the "philosophes" was to circulate and popularize ideas or combinations of ideas learned or borrowed from earlier times They wrote publicizing society’s flaws and possible solutions They hoped to discover natural laws governing human existence and reform society according to those laws Most considered human reason the best means of the discovery of laws and the best guide for social reform

Philosophes (cont.) They were optimistic about perfecting human society and making progress – Their basic concept of humanity was good – They believed that enlightened reason was possible for all humans – They believed that society could and should be reformed; would increase reason in humanity – However; only certain people could handle it, not the lower classes

Final Thoughts The philosophes, the thinkers and scholars, never synthesized a single system Optimism of the philosophes spread the idea of social progress in eighteenth century – Earlier thinkers before the “Enlightenment” viewed society as static – The Enlightenment focused the controversy between the literary "ancients" and "moderns" in seventeenth century "Ancients", such as the Renaissance humanists, insisted Classical civilization was superior and transcended all ages "Moderns" maintained that contemporary man was superior because he could add modern science to Classical ideas – Most philosophes sided with the moderns, convinced that human progress would lead to a better world – They believed in progress through reason: This is the essential element of the Enlightenment

John Locke Inspired by Glorious Revolution (1688) – Saw it as a reasonable change of gov’t Wrote Two Treatise on Government (1690) – Defend’s representative gov’t, constituionalism, revolts against tyranny – Viewed gov’t as a creation of society requiring limits – Exists as a contract between government and governed To protect ‘natural rights’: life, liberty, property Laws exist to protect said rights Owe government obedience to just laws as their obligation If government abuses or infringes, people should revolt Inspired by Glorious Revolution (1688) – Saw it as a reasonable change of gov’t Wrote Two Treatise on Government (1690) – Defend’s representative gov’t, constituionalism, revolts against tyranny – Viewed gov’t as a creation of society requiring limits – Exists as a contract between government and governed To protect ‘natural rights’: life, liberty, property Laws exist to protect said rights Owe government obedience to just laws as their obligation If government abuses or infringes, people should revolt

John Locke (cont.) Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) Tabula Rasa All knowledge = experiences A man is what is environment produces Man can be improved by improving his reason Society can be by laws that conform to natural laws

Voltaire Great French literary writerUsed sarcasm, satire, and logic in arguments Religion, Speech, Press Most concerned with Freedom of Expression Thought best was an enlightened Despot Gov’t would garuntee above and no state church Form of Gov’t not important as long as enlightened Was a Deist Humans are smart enough to see good and evil; don’t need religion for that Wanted religious tolerance

Montesquieu Ideal gov’t determined by climate and size of realm Spirit of the Laws Advocates separation of powers with checks and balances Was very anti-democratic French Pol. Power should be divided between king and other parties

Rousseau Born in total poverty in Geneva, Switz.Thought all man good but corrupt by society Best human traits are from nature, not society Kindness, honesty, selflessness “Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains” Reason itself is a false guide In-born goodness of man equal to reason Conscience and instinct are good for behavior

Rousseau The Social Contract – Concept of general will for society introduced Never fully defined in meaning Rousseau says it’s absolute and sacred – Individuals agree to accept the general will is final – All gov’t officials are delegates of Gen. Will – Hated Parliamentary System – Generally speaking, it is thought he hates any system that reduces human liberty