The Enlightenment

But first… the baby lab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRvVFW85IcU

Thesis Due to the extreme power rested in one individual—the king—during the Age of Absolute Monarchs, the Enlightenment sprung up as a reaction to this; finally beginning to involve the peasants class in politics, albeit, the rich end of the peasant class. This movement was most prominent in France because of the extreme power and decadence which had rested in the hands of the French monarchy during the reign of the most powerful and quintessential absolute monarch, Louis XIV.

What does “The Enlightenment” mean?  The Breakdown of the Enlightenment… 18th Century Scientific Revolution Enlightenment French Revolution  Everything can be explain through laws Newton’s Law of Gravity = Society must have laws State of Nature-good or bad = how to govern

The Philosophes The group that “starts” the Enlightenment is the Philosophes What is a Philosophe? French term for philosopher, but not all French (most are) & not all just philosophers Most all cover from upper and middle class Writers, professors, journalists, economists, social reformers, politics/government

Philosophes’ ideas Five main concepts behind their beliefs Reason – truth could be discovered through logic or reasoning Nature – what was natural was also good Happiness – be happy here and now Progress – mankind can always improve Liberty – the French philosophes wanted the same liberties that the English had won through Bill of Rights, etc.

Philosophes’ ideas Freedom of speech Freedom of trade (economic freedom) Freedom of religion Freedom to realize one’s talents Freedom to make your own way in the world Many are Deists God becomes the clockmaker Universe is a machine with true laws (Newton) God made it and then let it run This shift allows the scientists to be right Personally it allows for an explanation as to what bad things happen to good people

Common Words Progress Reason State of Nature Equality Natural Law Government Sovereignty Covenant Social Contract Civil Society

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Baron de Montesquieu Jean-Jacques Rousseau Voltaire

Montesquieu, Voltaire & Rousseau discussion questions 1. Explain these Philosophes thoughts on power, who should have it, how it should be used, etc. 2. Explain the relationship between laws, government and people. 3. What is goodness and morality and how is it defined? 4. Explain education, its role, and its importance. 5. How do these Philosophes feel about God and religion? What are their arguments? 6. How do Voltaire’s ideas of prejudice and equality apply to the thoughts of the other Philosophes?

Baron de Montesquieu Thought Britain was the best-run country on earth King/Queen had executive power Parliament had legislative power Courts had judicial power All worked in concert – well-balanced Came up with the idea of checks and balances One branch of government doesn't have too much power – is “checked” by another branch Basis of United States Constitution

Voltaire Most famous of the French philosophers Used satire to make fun of “important” people Satire – use of irony, sarcasm or wit to attack folly or stupidity Went to jail for his sharp tongue Quote: “I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” (didn't really say this)

Rousseau Believed civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness The only good government is when people give up rights for the common good His social contract was between people working together to create democracy Similar to Locke, except Rousseau believed that all people were equal and wanted to abolish all noble titles

Rousseau’s Ideas Freedom Social Contract “Individual member [gives] himself totally to the whole community” General Will “Each individual may have one particular will as a man that is different from – or contrary to – the general will which he has as a citizen” State Control “You can never corrupt the people”

Rousseau – Key Line “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” What does this mean? “Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but he knew how to write a line. […] But it is the one that did more than any other to inspire the French revolution. Sadly, it also did more than any other to justify the ensuing terror.”

What is Scientific Authority? The introduction of the reading claims… “To Professor Butterfield this change of techniques and attitudes is the most important event since the rise of Christianity, more important by far than the Renaissance or the Reformation…” Do you agree? Why or why not? What is important to know this info? Why does Galileo matter?

Montaigne, Paine & Wollstonecraft Meet with AT LEAST one of each of the readings – max group size is 4 people, so you can double up on one author In groups discuss (and take a few notes on…)* What was the main idea of your reading-what was the “thesis”? & how did the author “prove” the main idea? Compare & contrast ideas of the 3 authors. Compare & contrast the ideas with Rousseau and/or Voltaire. *be prepared to share answers with the whole class!

Why did we read these works? Questions? Why did we read these works? Why does this matter? Are there any implications in our lives? How does the textbook reading fit in? Why does that information matter to us?