The Enlightenment

Linkage of the Scientific Revolution to the Enlightenment Belief in Progress The successes of the Scientific Revolution gave philosophes the confidence that human reason could solve social problems. More secular Perspective Scientists made discoveries that contradicted & challenged religious teachings. Importance of the Individual People turned away from the Church & royalty for guidance - looked to themselves. Encouraged to use their own abilities & reason to problem solve

Core Values of the Philosophes 1. Reason – truth could be discovered through reason 2. Happiness – rejected medieval belief that people should concentrate on finding happiness in the hereafter rather than finding contentment & joy in this world 3. Progress – Humankind could improve 4. Liberty – called for liberties achieve from the Glorious Revolution in the English Bill of Rights

“I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it” Voltaire

Voltaire Prolific writer who used satire against his enemies. Attacked clergy, aristocrats & gov Fought for religious freedom & speech. Was jailed & exiled for his beliefs. Fought superstition, intolerance and prejudice. He corresponded directly with many rulers

Hobbes Influenced by the English Civil War Human nature was wicked & life was like state of war Social Contract req’d people to give up liberties to an absolute monarch. In return they gain order & security. Wrote the Leviathan

Locke Locke believed that human nature was essentially good. Humans were born with natural rights of life, liberty, property….. Purpose of gov was to protect those rights If gov abused it’s authority as Britain had done people had a right to overthrow the gov

Locke’s Chief Influence Principles include: Natural rights Purpose of gov Justification to overthrow gov Author of the Two Treatise on Government

Montesquieu Believed the best organization of gov included: Separation of powers & Checks and balances SOP was by itself a C/B Both ideas are part of the US Constitution. Wrote Spirit of the Laws

“Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau

Rousseau Civilization corrupted man. Only good gov had to be freely formed & guided by the “general will” of society. Favored “direct democracy” in which individuals agree to give up some freedoms in favor of the common good. Consent of government Titles of nobility should be abolished Influenced French Revolution/ Consent of the governed in US Constitution

Beccaria Interested in the justice system Condemned torture & irregular procedings. Favored: Speedy trial Fair treatment Punishment commensurate with the crime Abolishing capital punishment

Wollstonecraft Women were not treated fairly by most philosophes. Wollstonecraft believed that women were entitled to an equal education. Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women

Adam Smith Leading physiocrat who opposed mercantilism. Wrote Wealth of Nations which argued that natural forces of supply & demand should operate the economy. Strong supporter of laissez-faire. Encouraged individual initiative

Mercantilism vs. Laissez-Faire Government regulated Restricted trade Tariffs Navigation Acts Regulated by the market Liberal free trade

How did Enlightenment Ideas Spread?

Diderot Published the Encyclopedia. Censorship used to prevent the spread of ideas. Enlightened despots, absolute rulers, were those willing to consider some reforms

Salons & Salonieres Originated in 1600s Noblewomen began inviting enlightenment philosophes in all fields to their homes By the 1700s middle class women began holding salons. Another way in which ideas were disseminated