ENLIGHTENMENT 17th Century Europe
What is the ENLIGHTENMENT? Replacing the obscurity, darkness and ignorance of European thought with the light of truth.
What are their main beliefs? ENLIGHTENMENT What are their main beliefs? -Universe can be understood through the use of reason alone -Truth can be arrived at through observation -Human experience is the foundation for truth -Human history is a history of progress -Humans can improve through education -Religious doctrines have no place in the physical world
Enlightenment Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0B28_gwj0M
Enlightenment Many of the enlightened thinkers of this age believed in Deism and were Deists. Deism—the universe could be explained in non-religious terms. Religion they believed should be a matter of private contemplation than public worship.
Thomas Hobbes Important Dates 1588-1679. His main work was Leviathan (1651)
Thomas Hobbes Leviathan It spoke of human nature and the fact that people are in constant conflict with their fellow man so they must be restrained. He believed that SELFISHNESS motivates all human beings. Is that necessarily true?
Thomas Hobbes When he applied science to politics he arrived at two conclusions: All monarchs rule not by the consent of heaven, but by the consent of the people. People grant the king or queen absolute power to maintain law and order. They give up freedom for security.
John Locke Important Dates (1632-1704) His two main works were An Essay Concerning Human Understanding & Two Treaties Of Government
John Locke An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) It spoke about psychology and human cognition. Two important beliefs were: Tabula Rasa and Empirical Knowledge
John Locke Tabula Rasa--clean, blank slate. All humans are born with no preformed ideas. Empirical Knowledge--learning by doing, the only kind of knowledge, the best.
John Locke Two Treatises of Government (1690) Government and authority are based on Natural Rights: Life Liberty and Property
John Locke All individuals are equal, inequality unnatural. Absolute power is an unnatural development in human history. As a result government and authority should protect natural law, If not the people should overthrow the ruler.
Baron de Montesquieu Significant dates (1689-1755) Main Work The Spirit of Laws 1748 Relativism analyzing governments in relation to customs, religion and commerce of various countries
Baron de Montesquieu Political liberty requires checks on those who hold power in a state. Liberty can thrive with a balance of powers meaning separation of powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Dates (1712-1778) Works Emile: Treatise on Education (1762) and The Social Contract (1762)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Emile: Treatise on Education Addressing one of the values of the Enlightenment, education. Story of a young boy raised by his adult tutor. The tutor stressed experience over book learning.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau The Social Contract (1762) Individuals have a role in making the law to which they submit. He does not want majority rule but he is seeking consensus (compromise) to the best interest of all citizens. He calls this the general will—an individual ultimately must do what one ought to do not simply what one wants to do.
Voltaire Dates (1694-1778) Work: The Philosophical Dictionary
Quotes from Voltaire http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Voltaire