Ch 2 Sec 1 Philosophy in the Age of Reason

Enlightenment thinkers thought that like laws in natural science, there were laws governing human society. Laws of nature (natural laws) give people rights of life, liberty and property. Men can build a fair society based on reason (rationality). They challenged the theory of "Divine Right of Kings." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ompywuaDN0 Absolute Monarchs and Divine Right - One Minute Review Lesson

Thomas Hobbes Book The Leviathan Men in a state of nature, that is a state without civil government, are in a war of all against all in which life is hardly worth living. The way out of this desperate state is to make a social contract and establish the state to keep peace and order

Thomas Hobbes Life is nasty, mean, & competitive People were by nature selfish & ambitious (http://www.today.com/popculture/jimmy-kimmels-i-told-my-kids-i-ate-all-their-1D80265954 Absolute power is needed to govern society (Authoritarian government) Government makes us good & peaceful Peace is achieved by forming a “social contract”

Governments must be designed to protect the people from themselves Impact of Founders Governments must be designed to protect the people from themselves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i4jb5XBX5s POLITICAL THEORY - Thomas Hobbes

John Locke Book Two Treaties Of Government http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjIwkvhGsoo

2. John Locke Humans had by nature (Natural Rights) “right to life, liberty, & property” & government should protect it(BM ?) People have absolute right to govern themselves, not God (divine right of kings theory) Have the right to rebel against a government that violated or failed to protect their citizens rights

Impact on Founders: Locke: people set up the government and give it power to protect their own rights. Natural Rights must be secured by gov.

3. Baron de Montesquieu

Sovereignty (power) cannot be trusted Cannot trust our leaders/government, they need to be under control. System of Checks & Balances are needed for safety Liberty is safeguarded by a separation of powers in government

U.S. Constitution was created on this idea (checks & balances) Impact on Founders: Montesquieu: A good government should be divided into 3 branches: executive, legislature and judiciary

4. Voltaire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGDMP9c_3n4

Proposed freedom of religion Proposed tolerance Proposed freedom of religion Proposed freedom of speech Outspoken on French Gov, Catholic Church, corrupt officials & idle aristocrats

Impact on Founders: Voltaire: France should learn the free political system of England. Religious tolerance & separation of Church & State is essential.

5. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Humans are generous & loving Civil society has turned us into animals (us vs china violent society) People should control government, “legitimate government comes only with the people’s consent (democracy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztJkD7-Vtks The Ugliest Woman in the World” Feel Beautiful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvinJsqSknU The PERFECT Woman Around The World

Impact on Founders: Rousseau: King's power comes from people, not by God. The government represents the "general will“(collective) of people. Individual wills are subordinate to the institutions People make a nation, not institutions

6. Mary Wollstonecraft

Well-known British social critic Woman’s duty was to be a good mother Women should decide what was in her own interest w/out depending on her husband Called for equal education for girls & boys Education gave women the tools needed to participate equally w/ men in public life

New Economic Thinking Summarize laissez faire (pg 58) Explain the significance of Adam Smith & his free market economy. (pg 58)

New Economic Thinking Summarize laissez faire (pg 58) A policy allowing business to operate with little or NO government interference (gov. keeps its hands off the economy) Explain the significance of Adam Smith & his free market economy. (pg 58) Argued that the free market should be allowed to regulate business activity, the market will adjust to consumer demands, the duty of government should protect society administer justice & provide public works.

State of Nature Purpose of Government Representation Hobbes Locke Rousseau State of Nature The state of nature is a state of war. No morality exists. Everyone lives in constant fear. Because of this fear, no one is really free, but, since even the “weakest” could kill the “strongest” men ARE equal. Men exist in the state of nature in perfect freedom to do what they want. The state of nature is not necessarily good or bad. It is chaotic. So, men do give it up to secure the advantages of civilized society. Men in a state of nature are free and equal. In a state of nature, men are “Noble Savages”. Civilization is what corrupted him. Purpose of Government To impose law and order to prevent the state of war. To secure natural rights, namely man’s property and liberty. To bring people into harmony. To unite them under the “General Will”. Representation Governments are designed to control, not necessarily represent. Representation ensures that governments are responsive to the people. Representation is a safeguard against oppression. Representation is not enough. Citizens cannot delegate their civic duties. They must be actively involved. Rousseau favors a more direct democracy to enact the general will. Impact on U.S. Founders Governments must be designed to protect the people from themselves. Governments must be designed to protect the people from the government. Natural Rights must be secured. Governments must be responsive and aligned with the general will. People make a nation, not institutions. Individual wills are subordinate to the general (collective) will.