The Enlightenment The Thinkers

Aka: Age of Reason. Men and Women apply theories discovered during the Scientific Revolution upon the aspects of human society: Government, religion, economics, and education. ‘Man can know everything’…

Thomas Hobbes

His thought was affected by English Civil War - All humans are “naturally selfish and wicked” - If continued, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” Style of Government Man signs a “Social Contract” between himself and their ruler who held all power!!! “Leviathan” would impose order and obedience!!!

John Locke

J. LO.

John Locke (J LO) Held more positive view of life. Man is reasonable, can learn from their mistakes, and rule him-self. Man is free and equal with Natural Rights: Life, Liberty and Property. Government is meant to protect the people, if not…overthrow it!

The Thought Continues (France, 1700’s) The Philosophes French thinkers who continued the Age of Reason Philosophy made up of 5 core concepts: 1. Reason (Right to Think) 2. Nature 3. Happiness 4. Progress (The Search for Knowledge) 5. Liberty

Voltaire

Voltaire (the fighter of personal rights) Named: Francois Marie Arouet. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ –Made many enemies through the various writings. –Criticized the Church, Government, and Nobles. He fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of speech and religion.

“Ecrasez l’infame”

Jean Jacque Rousseau

Rousseau (Champion of Freedom) society corrupts peoples natural goodness. “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains” Freedom of man was crushed by the Strong (king, aristocrats) w/ their unjust laws. The best Government is one freely formed by the people. (direct democracy) - Social Contract: People allow Government to Govern. - Ideas inspired French Revolution

Baron de Montesquieu

Government should be balanced among three groups: 1. King (Executive) 2. Parliament (Legislative) 3. Courts (Judicial) Montesquieu called this the Separation of Powers. “power should be a check of power” ‘checks and balances’ - Both found in our US Constitution.

Cesare Beccaria

Beccaria (Criminal Justice) Laws exist to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes. Fought for the following 1. No torturing the witness, suspect 2. Right to a speedy trial 3. No cruel and unusual punishment 4. Stopping Capital Punishment (state executions) Greatly affected our US judicial system

Mary Wollstonecraft

Fought for the rights of women. Women would advance themselves with education. - If mothers, Education would make them better mothers - If doctors, Education would make them better doctors… Women should participate in politics –“Let women share the rights and they shall emulate the virtues of men”.

Daughter of Wollstonecraft

Where are these ideas today? These thinkers all influenced our most important documents… - The Dec. of Independence - The U.S. Constitution - The U.S. Bill of Rights