Enlightenment Ms. Ramos

Characteristics of the Enlightenment Rationalism  reason is the arbiter of all things. Cosmology  a new concept of man, his existence on earth, & the place of the earth in the universe. Secularism  application of the methods of science to religion & philosophy.

Utilitarianism  the greatest good for the greatest number. Scientific Method Mathematical analysis Experimentation Inductive reasoning. Utilitarianism  the greatest good for the greatest number. Tolerance  No opinion is worth burning your neighbor for.

Optimism & Self-Confidence The belief that man is intrinsically good. The belief in social progress. Freedom Of thought and expression. Bring liberty to all men (modern battle against absolutism). Education of the Masses

Legal Reforms Justice, kindness, and charity  no torture or indiscriminant incarceration. Due process of law. Constitutionalism Written constitutions  listing citizens, rights. Cosmopolitanism.

Core Beliefs Truth discovered through reason What is natural, is also good and reasonable People can find happiness in this life Society and humankind can progress and improve People’s liberty should be protected by the law Ms. Ramos

Enlightenment Philosophers Ms. Ramos

Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Life in the state of nature is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” Strongest element: passion Self-preservation basis of his thought Ms. Ramos

To secure peace- est sovereign pwr not subject to civil law Man against man To secure peace- est sovereign pwr not subject to civil law Monarchy is most effective Ms. Ramos

John Locke English Natural rights Right to overthrow govt that does not protect “natural” rights State of nature is not perpetual war Ms. Ramos

Hobbes vs. Locke Philosopher What drives human behavior? Best form of government Hobbes Passion Absolute Monarchy Locke Reason Constitutionalism Ms. Ramos

Baron de Montesquieu French Separation of powers Checks & balances Ms. Ramos

Jean Jacques Rousseau French Natural goodness & individual freedom Govt by “general will” of the people Social Contract Ms. Ramos

Cesare B. Beccaria Italian Justice system Accused had rights Advocated abolishing torture Govt: greatest good for greatest number of people Ms. Ramos

Common Sense Pierre Bayle’s Historical and Critical Dictionary demolished traditional concepts Denis Diderot’s Encyclopedia (1751-1781), encapsulated the whole of human knowledge Ms. Ramos

Voltaire’s Philosophical Letters encouraged readers to cast off inherited misconceptions Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Émile (1762) Argued for new pedagogy (methods of teaching) Ms. Ramos

War on tradition Discuss this one- Don’t copy Voltaire: Christianity often was “l’infame,” the detestable thing Deism belief in nature’s God who created universe according to natural laws John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration urged openness to all religious expressions (except Roman Catholicism and atheism) Freemasonry blend of Egyptian polytheism with medieval guilds and brotherly love Ms. Ramos

Social Contracts Discuss this one- Don’t copy John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government government contract powered by consent of property owners Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws (1748) laws evolved to be spirit of a nation “constitutionalism” should protect freedoms of citizens “separation of powers” create checks and balances Rousseau’s Social Contract (1762) state guided by “moral and collective body” of individual citizens Jefferson: American Declaration of Independence Ms. Ramos

Effects of the Enlightenment Ms. Ramos

Enlightenment Ideas: Encouraged people to use observation to make new discoveries Rely on reason Question traditional authority Ms. Ramos

Enlightenment Ideas Spread from Europe to the Americas “the philosophes,” create the mvmt of the Enlightenment Centered in France and England, also Scotland, Italy and Netherlands Kant: “Dare to know!” Influenced the American Revolution Ms. Ramos