Ideas at the Heart of the Enlightenment

Enlightenment Early 1700s- apply reason to all aspects of life Ideas at the heart of Enlightenment: –Reason –Nature –Happiness –Progress –Liberty

The Ideas… Reason- absence of intolerance, prejudice Nature- natural things good and reasonable –Natural laws of economics and politics (not just motion) Happiness- live by nature’s laws to be happy –Don’t accept misery on earth –Focus on well-being on Earth

The Ideas… Progress- 1 st Europeans to believe in progress for society –Perfect society/humankind through scientific approach Liberty- looked to liberties won in Britain (Glorious Rev. and Bill of Rights) –Reason could set society free –Don’t violate other’s freedom

Philosopher’s and their Theories

John Wesley Founder of Methodism Methodism –Revolt against rationalism & deism –Emotion important in Christian conversion –Reaction to English Romanticism –Inward heartfelt religion

Adam Smith Looked to physiocrats (economic reformers) believing the govt. should allow free trade –No mercantilism –“laissez faire”- govt. hands off economy 1776 Wealth of Nations- free economy (Capitalism) produce more wealth than regulated economy (mercantilism)

Adam Smith 3 natural laws of economics –Law of self-interest –Law of competition- efficiency=progress –Law of supply & demand Market economy- quality at low prices Economic liberty= economic progress

Montesquieu French nobleman Studied political liberty Britain considered best governed –Balance of power- executive, legislative, & judicial branches

Jean-Jacques Montesquieu

Montesquieu On the Spirit of Laws- Separation of power –Divided and checked powers –Ensure liberties –Basis of US Constitution

Rousseau Born in Geneva, lived in Italy & Paris Champion of liberty In Paris stayed away from salons Quarreled with most (insane)

Rousseau

1762 The Social Contract- liberty natural born right –Freedom, equality destroyed when strongest took power –Only legitimate govt. ruled with consent of people –“general will” of people (no monarchs)

Hobbs English philosopher (before Enlightenment) –1 st to examine nature of man 1651 Leviathan- humans naturally wicked, govt. needed to protect people from own selfishness –Purpose of govt.- stop society from falling into disorder (absolute monarchy) –Inspiration: English Civil War

Thomas Hobbes

Locke English philosopher People had gift of reason therefore the natural ability to govern (welfare of society) Govt. protect basic human rights- life, liberty, property

John Locke

Locke Govt. involved in contract- protect people’s rights –People could rebel if this not done Treatises on Govt. - justified overthrow of James II –Used by Jefferson (Revolutionary War)

Voltaire French Writings made him enemy in French courts –Doubt cast on Christianity and French King –Louis XV- jailed him twice –Exiled to Britain- influenced by Locke, admired British govt.

Voltaire

1758 Candide (in Switzerland) –Satire on French govt. and society –Against prejudice, superstition, intolerance Praised Britain for commerce, religious tolerance Deist- God created universe –Unresponsive to prayer –NATURAL LAW –Rejected Christian doctrine

Denis Diderot

Diderot French Encyclopedia- leading scholars contributed writings –Current enlightened thought –Gave organization to existing knowledge –Subjects- tech, science, math, art, medicine etc. Salons (Mme. Godfrey)

Diderot 7 th vol. Provokes Louis XV- govt. censors ban further volumes –Diderot found ways around ban volumes produced –Led to Encyclopedia Britannica Benefactors= Catherine the Great, Maria Theresa

Blaise Pascal French (math & physical science) Jansenist- against Jesuits Rejected deism & atheism Pensees Belief in God rational & improves life

Blaise Pascal If God does not exist- does not matter if believed If God does exist- no belief lose everything

Baruch Spinoza Dutch (Jewish)- excommunicated Pantheism- God = Nature Ethics- reflects new science (rational) Only 1 substance = God –All things exist in God Opponents- human action unfree