The Age of Reason & Enlightenment Nov 18th, 2010

Traditions and Superstitions The “Great Debate” Reason & Logic Traditions and Superstitions rationalism empiricism tolerance skepticism Deism nostalgia for the past organized religions irrationalism emotionalism

Emergence of a Secular World View Idea that natural science (Sci Rev) & reason (Enlightenment) could explain all aspects of life

Belief in autonomy of man’s intellect… apart from God Faith in. . . REASON Belief in Deism & natural laws (Newton)

Hobbes Vs. Locke

People are naturally good Stand in the Front of the Room 2 Sides Hobbes People Are Naturally Nasty & Brutish Stand in the Back of the Room John Locke People are naturally good Stand in the Front of the Room

Two Treatises of Civil Gov’t 1690 John Locke (1632-1704) Two Treatises of Civil Gov’t 1690

Locke: Purpose of Gov’t = to protect the “natural rights” of the people: life, liberty & property If gov’t fails to protect people’s natural rights, they are justified in rebelling Defense for the “Glorious Revolution”

Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690): Tabula Rasa: the human mind was born as a blank slate registered input from the senses passively. Stressed the importance of the environment on human development

For progress to occur in society, education was critical in determining human development.

<End Section on Locke>

Enlightenment Emphasis: Toleration for Ideas

Bernard de Fontenelle 1657-1757 Stressed the idea of progress Skeptical of Absolute Truth Claims of organized Religion

Pierre Bayle (1647-1706) Critical & Historical Dictionary Advocated complete toleration of ideas (ex. Religion)

The Philosophes an informal & unorganized group of critics who committed themselves to fundamental reform in society Popularized ideas of the Enlightenment By 1775, much of western Europe’s educated elite had embraced the Enlightenment

Perhaps the most influential of all Enlightenment philosophers Voltaire (1694-1778) Perhaps the most influential of all Enlightenment philosophers

His influential social criticism inspired many to call for change, setting the stage for the French Rev’n Hated bigotry & injustice

Called for religious toleration. In regards to religious intolerance: “Crush the infamous thing”

Tolerance Reason Freedom of Speech (Expression) Advocated “I do not agree w/ what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

Enlightened Despotism = a more benevolent form of absolutism believed people were incapable of ruling themselves (Think Hobbes) Voltaire’s views influenced several “Enlightened Despots”

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) Member of the French nobility Hated the absolutism of Louis XIV. Spirit of the Laws (1748)

Called for separation of powers Principle of checks & balances would ensure that no single branch became too powerful the others could check an abuse of power

Liked British Parliament French Parlements Groups of nobles assigned to preside over judicial issues

Had a significant impact on the creation of the U. S Had a significant impact on the creation of the U.S. Constitution & the French Rev’n in the 1780s

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) Man’s state of nature was good—a “noble savage”—& was corrupted by the materialism of civilization.

Social Contract 1762 The general will, a consensus of the majority, should control a nation. This strongly implied democracy.

Believed in Emile (1762) progressive education; learning by doing; encouraged self-expression

Denis Diderot (1713-1784)

The Encyclopedia 1765 Perhaps the greatest & most representative work of the philosophes A vast collection of political & social critiques from various Enlightenment philosophers & authors (made ideas popular & accessible to the masses)

Emphasized science & reason while criticizing religion, intolerance, injustice & tyranny Sought to teach people to think critically & objectively Banned in France & placed by the pope on the Index of Prohibited Books

Marquis di Beccaria 1738-1794

On Crimes and Punishment (1764) Make criminal law about reason (enlightenment ideals) & equality before the law

Advocated For Speedy trials Influenced Enlightened Despots Fought against torture, cruel & unusual punishment Capital (loss of life) Punishment Advocated For Speedy trials Influenced Enlightened Despots

The Enlightenment: Economics

Mercantilism vs. Modern Capitalism Old Finite amount of Wealth Gov’t must participate, regulate & support the economy Colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country; Must only be allowed to trade with the mother country. Export more than you import New Infinite amount of Wealth Gov’t must keep its hands off (Laissez Faire) the economy b/c self-interest will be the most efficient way to fuel an economy Promote free trade in the hopes of promoting efficiency

Adam Smith (1727-1790) Wealth of Nations - Considered the “Bible” of capitalism.

In a free market economy, competition will encourage producers to manufacture most efficiently in order to sell higher quality, lower cost goods than competitors. Gov’t regulation only interferes with this natural self-governing style

3 Natural Laws of Economics Which Promote Efficiency Law of self-interest Law of competition Law of supply & demand

Leader of the physiocrats - who opposed mercantilist policies Francois Quesnay (1694-1774) Leader of the physiocrats - who opposed mercantilist policies Sought to reform the existing agrarian system by instituting laissez faire in agriculture

Women in the Enlightenment

Played a major role in the salon movement Many of the brightest minds of the Enlightenment assembled in salons to discuss the major issues of the day Organized & Participated in salons Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) promoted political & educational equality for women

Generally, the Enlightenment did not like or have much respect for women When women tried to apply its ideas of freedom & equality to their own sex, even the most radical leaders of the French Revolution repressed them

Classical Liberalism

The political outgrowth of the Enlightenment Belief in liberty of the individual and equality before the law “Natural rights” philosophy played a profound role in the American and French Revolutions Impact of Locke and Montesquieu was evident in the American Constitution and in the French Declaration of the Rights of Man Rousseau’s idea of the “general will” influenced the French Revolution after 1791.

Belief in laissez faire capitalism (Adam Smith) Government should not interfere in the economy Opposite of mercantilism

Belief in progress, (through reason and education), human dignity and human happiness

Religious toleration, freedom of speech & the press, just punishments for crimes, and equal treatment before the law

Enlightenment & Religion

Diesm

German pietism argued the need for spiritual devotion and religious experience

Methodism: John Wesley (1703-91): Founder of Methodism taught need for spiritual regeneration & a moral life that would demonstrate one’s having been “born-again”.

Jansenism (Catholic sect) in France argued against idea of an uninvolved or impersonal God Had earlier been persecuted by Louis XIV for their incorporation of some Calvinist ideas (e.g. predestination)

Impact of the Enlightenment on society

Emergence of a secular world view of the universe

American & French Revolutions (as a result of classical liberalism)

Educational reform in various countries

Growth of laissez faire capitalism in the 19th century during the early industrial revolution in England & in 19th-century America

Enlightened despotism in Prussia, Russia, Austria & France (Napoleon)