Enlightenment Philosophers
What was the Enlightenment New ideas in government and politics People begin questioning the need for all powerful kings Can people chose leaders for themselves? “All people are created equal” New (and potentially dangerous) concept Dangerous to who?
Thomas Hobbes
Notice the title of Hobbes’ book What is a Leviathan? What do you think Hobbes was trying to say about government based on the title of his book?
Leviathan!!
Hobbes From England Wrote Leviathan -Observation: People are generally bad Life without strong government is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, & short.” -Hypothesis: Absolute government is needed to control evil behavior Not the same as but not divine right People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s
-Observation: gov’t exists to “preserve life, liberty, & property” -Hypothesis: people should be sovereign (rule) -Hypothesis: monarchs not chosen by God People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s John Locke From: England Wrote: Two Treatises on Government
Montesquieu -Observation: “When the legislature & executive are united in the same person, there is no liberty (freedom)” -Hypothesis: Gov’t must have “Separation of Powers” -- 3 branches People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s From: France Wrote: “The Spirit of Laws”
Rousseau -Observation: “man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.” -Hypothesis: Gov’t is contract between people & rulers. People can break it (rebel) People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s From: France Wrote: The Social Contract
Voltaire -Observation: Life is better with liberty -Hypothesis: Freedom of speech & religion, separation of church & state -“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. “ People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s From: France
People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s Locke Hobbes Montesquieu Rousseau Voltaire Name From Wrote Main Ideas