Major Ideas Of the Enlightenment Ch. 17, Sect. 2 Major Ideas Of the Enlightenment Laissez-Faire Deism Separation Of Power Reason Social Contract Progress Natural Law Religious Tolerance

Philosophy & Reason Rene Descartes “I think, therefore I am Doubt dominates our thoughts Because “the mind cannot be doubted but the body and material world can, the two must be radically different” Father of rationalism Rationalism- -reason is the chief source of knowledge

John Locke (England) Everyone is born with a blank mind. Molded by experiences. Natural Rights – “Life, Liberty, & Property” Government should protect these rights

The Philosophes “French” for philosophers Believed people could apply reason to all aspects of life If natural laws apply to physical world, they could also apply to human society

Montesquieu (French Noble) Studied Gov’ts Influenced U.S. Constitution. Used scientific method on politics Believed in Separation of Powers (checks and balances) Each branch has power over the other “Power should be a check to power” Example: British/U.S. gov’t

Montesquieu 3 types: Republics Small states – voice of the people Despotism Large states - absolute power Monarchies Moderate sized states – power dispersed Three Branches of government Executive Legislative Judicial

Voltaire (France) Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, & freedom of speech (Bill of Rights) Deism –religious philosophy based on reason & natural law (Clock) God (Clockmaker) lets universe run by itself Criticized the church Criticized the French Government

Denis Diderot (France) Writer of the Encyclopedia Classified Dictionary of Sciences, Arts, and Trades (28 volumes) Challenged the general way of thinking Called for many social, political, legal, and religious reforms

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Social Contract… an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will Everyone does what’s best for the whole. Emotion and reason are important to human development. “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”

Adam Smith Writes The Wealth of Nations Laissez Faire Economics: To let alone/hands off Government stays away from business Basis of capitalism State should not regulate the economy

1.) According to Adam Smith, why do people produce and sell products? Critical Thinking (550) 1.) According to Adam Smith, why do people produce and sell products? Personal Gain 2.) What do you think Smith means by “an invisible hand?” economic factors are not visible to participants, they guide participants to act to benefit society

Mary Wollstonecraft (England) Fought for Women’s rights Argued that power over women was just as wrong as the power monarchs had over their subjects “Let women share the right and she will emulate the virtues of men, for she must grow more perfect when emancipated”