The Enlightenment – the intellectual movement of the 18th c The use of reason Emphasis on order and logic Dedicated to tolerance and freedom Benefited from a new, dynamic international discussion among intellectuals

Origins of the Enlightenment The rational spirit born in Ancient Greece The Stoic philosophy of the Romans The Christian belief that all individuals are equal in the eyes of God The Renaissance spirit of Humanism The English traditions of political liberties The Scientific Revolution

The Enlightenment based on three principles: 1) the methodology of the new science (scientific method) could be used to understand all aspects of life, including human behavior 2) examine all social institutions and traditions, including govt, using this method – those that could not meet the test of reason and logic should be discarded. 3) the idea of progress – unlock the laws of human behavior to create a perfect society without inequality, injustice, jealousy and fear.

How did this new, public, secular culture begin to spread? Freedom of the press in England and the Dutch Republic- newspapers and journals Freedom of assembly throughout Europe- coffee houses, salons, Masonic lodges, and scientific academies Common agreement that Christianity defied logic and common sense – miracles and original sin

Important ideas…from Enlightenment writers Contractual government Limited royal power Checks and balances The General Will - “majority rules” Social equality Humanitarianism

The ideas and beliefs of the Philosophes:

John Locke, 1632-1704 On Human Understanding, 1690 Tabula Rasa Two Treatises on Govt, 1692

John Locke 1632-1704 1) All men are free and equal at birth. 2) Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the ownership of property. 3) Citizens have the right to overthrow the government when their “natural rights” are violated. 4) Rulers are given the right to govern by the people, and unfair rulers can be forced from power. 5) Man is not born a good or evil person; he becomes one or the other according to his life experiences and the environment in which he lives.

Francois Marie Arouet - Voltaire, 1694-1778 Playwright, Essayist, Poet, Philosopher, Historian, Economic Reformer and wealthy Businessman Outspoken critic of society and advocate for human rights

Voltaire 1694-1778 1) All men should be treated as equals, and should have freedom of speech and freedom of the press. 2) An intelligent person should not accept all religious beliefs. We should only accept those beliefs about God that are based on reason and common sense. 3) Religious myths and ceremonies do nothing to make men better, and therefore should be ignored. 4) Clergymen are more interested in adding to the power of the Church than they are in making Man better. 5) A scientist is a greater person than a conquering general. 6) Democracy is not a good form of government because the common people are not capable of governing themselves. The best government is one headed by a good and fair king.

Baron de Montesquieu, 1689-1755 The Persian Letters, 1720 The Spirit of the Laws, 1739

Montesquieu 1689-1 755 1) An absolute ruler is an undesirable leader because one-man rule limits such basic rights as freedom of speech, press, and religion. 2) There should be a “separation of powers” in government between legislative, executive, and judicial branches. 3) Slavery, torture, religious persecution, and censorship are all wrong. 4) A man is innocent until a jury finds him guilty. 5) When one country increases its military power, so do other countries. Therefore, all nations should limit their military forces in order to reduce the threat of war.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1712-1778 Wrote: >Glowingly about nature >Importance of hygiene and sanitation >Praised married life >How to raise children The Social Contract, 1762

Rousseau 1712-1778 1) It is unfair that some people are rich while others are poor. 2) The rich should not enjoy special privileges from the government. 3) Compared to man during the Stone Age, modern man is unhappy, insecure, & greedy. 4) Social and political reforms must be made before man can be a good person. 5) Democracy is a desirable form of government.

“Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.” Editor and contributor to The Encyclopedia,1751 Denis Diderot, 1713-1784

Failure of the Enlightenment The use of pure reason did not take into account some inescapable elements of human behavior such as: Emotions Desires Passion Willpower

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