ENLIGHTENMENT THE AGE OF REASON

EUROPE CHANGES THE WORLD Due to Renaissance & Scientific Revolution: Humanists focus on abilities of humans Scientists develop new ways of approaching the unknown - observation, experiments, & math Newton (gravity), Copernicus & Kepler (heliocentric theory, elliptical rotation of planets), Galileo (telescope) & Harvey (circulation of blood)

NATURE OF HUMANS: THE BAD Philosophers question behavior of humans – Natural Laws THOMAS HOBBES - wrote Leviathon  describes people as naturally evil & selfish W/o strong government (absolute power) life would be “nasty, brutish, & short” People driven by greed “The condition of man is war-like & government helps keep order”

NATURE OF HUMANS: THE GOOD JOHN LOCKE- wrote Two Treatises of Government  describes people as reasonable & moral The best kind of government is one that’s accepted by majority of citizens “Men are free, equal, & independent” Ideas influenced the US Declaration of Independence & French Revolution Right to life, liberty, & property

FRENCH INFLUENCE BARON DE MONTESQUIEU - wrote The Spirit of the Laws  greatly respected limited monarch of Britain Suggested protection from tyranny (abuse of power) b/c had created 3 separate branches of government w/individual power & shared power (U.S. Constitution, French Constitution) “In order to have liberty, there should be government…power should be a check to power”

ENLIGHTENMENT WRITERS philosophes - “lovers of wisdom” AROUET (pen name: VOLTAIRE) – used satire (witty but sarcastic) to write about abuses in society in book Candide Said to avoid excessive idealism & improve human existence through freedom of speech “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

ENLIGHTENMENT WRITERS, II DIDEROT - wrote Encyclopedia (28 volumes)  collected articles regarding all topics: science, politics, economics, slavery, human rights, religion, etc. Pope threatened to excommunicate Catholics who read it! Translations helped spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe

DOWN WITH MONARCHS! JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU – wrote The Social Contract  people were naturally good, but corrupted by evils of society, especially unequal distribution of property (rich v. poor) Freely formed government is not an abuse of power & will of majority must be heard; benefit of many over benefit of few (direct democracy) Government should protect common good “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains…”