What? Enlightenment – a cultural movement of intellectuals beginning in late 17th and 18th century Europe emphasizing reason & individualism rather than tradition Philosophe – people who were looking to reform society along the lines of reason and logic Centered in PARIS (France)
Key Ideas Reason Nature and Natural Laws Happiness Humans should figure problems out rather than depend on miracles Nature and Natural Laws Natural laws regulate both the universe and human society Happiness People don’t have to be miserable in this life to be “holy”…they have a right to happiness
And Some More Key Ideas Progress Liberty Toleration Discoveries and advances in government, economics, and sciences can make life better Liberty People should live in societies with little restrictions of speech, religion, and trade Toleration People should accept others’ differences
Thomas Hobbes The Older, Cranky Guy Who Doesn’t Fit In Lived and learned through the English Civil War People are by nature dishonest, cruel, greedy, etc. Without government, life would be short People should enter a social contract with their government so the gov’t can provide law and order Gov’t – absolute monarch
John Locke You’re welcome, America Two Treatises of Civil Government (1690) Human beings are good people in their state of nature Government protects natural rights of the people only when the governed give consent Life, liberty, and property People have right to rebel IF the gov’t does not protect their natural rights
John Locke You’re welcome, America Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) A person’s environment influences their development Tabula rasa – human mind born as a “blank slate” and learns from its experiences For progress to occur, people must be educated properly
Voltaire The Smart “Donkey” Wrote with sarcasm and wit Challenged traditional Catholic theology Didn’t believe in prayer and miracles – reason should rule HATED intolerance and bigotry (Catholic Church) “Crush the infamous thing” Advocated “enlightened” kings ruling over the people
Jean Jacques Rousseau The Hippie Trusted emotions and feelings more than cold logic Social Contract (1762) The general will, or a consensus of the majority, should control the country Rulers are servants of the community
Jean Jacques Rousseau The Hippie Man had been corrupted by materialism…in simpler times could be good (noble savage) Emile (1762) Education must be individualized “Discovery learning”
Baron de Montesquieu The Turtle A French noble Spirit of the Laws (1748) Called for separation of powers in government Supported a “checks and balances” model GOAL – prevent tyranny and support liberty
Cesare di Beccaria The Kind Heart On Crimes and Punishment (1764) Sought to humanize criminal law Punishment of crime should be based on the level of damage it does to society Opposed death penalty and use of torture
Denis Diderot The Nerd Chief editor of the Encyclopedia Goal – bring together thinking in all areas to one source Banned by governments and the Church
Immanuel Kant The German Greatest German thinker of the Enlightenment Science could describe nature, but it could not provide a guide for morality “Categorical imperative” – an intuitive instinct placed by God in the human conscience