The Enlightenment

What was it? Enlightenment 18th century philosophical movement used scientific method--explain and improve society. noun: scientific method; plural noun: scientific methods a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses Slide #1

Scientific Method Inductive reasoning: from the particular insight to the general and overarching truth. Slide #2

The Intellectuals and the Enlightenment Intellectuals of movement: Philosophes. Not all French. Philosophes: social critics, publicists, political scientists, economists, and social reformers. Slide #3

Concerns of the Philosophes Attacked laws, institutions, and practices. Attacked: Everything unreasonable or unnatural. The Philosophes: people can make the changes for a better life They say-future is bright. Slide #4

The Role of Reason Enlightenment: Reason to cure mankind of past injustices. Reason allow man to find- the Natural Laws (these govern society). With these discovered then progress guaranteeing human betterment. Slide #5

Thomas Hobbes

Said life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. The natural condition of humans is one of continuous conflict and competition Believed in the social contract people give up individual liberties in return for social order Believed anarchy to be a state of nature. Supporter of absolute monarchy Wrote Leviathan (1651) Slide #6

Following Laws = less rights, but more safety! #countmein!

John Locke

Believed in individual rights People would not and could not willingly surrender their fundamental natural rights. Believed in individual rights – Life – Liberty – Property Government existed to protect those rights, & if they didn’t, it should be overthrown. Rebellion is the right of the people because people have the gift of reason Supporter of Democracy Wrote Two Treatises on Government Slide #7

Baron de Montesquieu

Saw humans life as a comedy and satire. His idea of checks and balances would influence the U.S. Constitution Division of power into 3 branches Executive Legislative Judicial Climate and Circumstances determine the form of governments Published The Spirit of the Laws (1748) Slide #8

Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet)

Strong supporter of Freedom of Speech, Thought, & Religion Humans are liars, traitors, ingrates, thieves, misers, killers, fanatics, hypocrites, fools and so on. Yet, it’s normal. Strong supporter of Freedom of Speech, Thought, & Religion Believed Gov’ts should ensure personal freedoms Satirist who wrote about the French Monarchy, the nobility, and the church Wrote Candide & Philosophical Letters Hated the Church, injustice, and prejudice Imprisoned twice in France for his views Slide #9

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Opposed strong government. Argued people are naturally good, but society corrupts them through environment, education and laws. Believed in Popular Sovereignty (sovereign power is vested in the people) Opposed strong government. Government created and controlled by the people. Did not trust reason, believing that it brought corruption and misery. Published The Social Contract (1762) Slide #10

Adam Smith

Believed in Self interest, Competition, and Everyone is selfish Government should allow economic liberty, laissez-faire. Shouldn’t control economy Free trade, Market economy, Supply and demand Wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776) Slide #11

Mary Wollstonecraft

Early spokesperson for Women’s Rights Argued the ideals of equality should be extended to women as well as men. Governments should extend political rights to women as well Women should also enjoy educational freedoms as well Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) Slide #12

Identify who said it and what it means! “Power should be in check of Power.” Montesquieu

Identify who said it and what it means! “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. Rousseau

Identify who said it and what it means! “Let women share the rights and she will emulate the virtues of men.” Mary W.

Identify who said it and what it means! “The action of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.” Locke

Identify who said it and what it means! “No complaint ... is more common than that of a scarcity of money.” Smith

Identify who said it and what it means! “The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.” Hobbes

Identify who said it and what it means! “It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.” Voltaire

Some other Quotes from Voltaire “Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal.”

Some other Quotes from Voltaire “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: "O Lord make my enemies ridiculous." And God granted it.”

Some other Quotes from Voltaire “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

Some other Quotes from Voltaire “History is only the register of crimes and misfortunes.”

Some other Quotes from Voltaire “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”