Warm Up 1. What was the main idea of Plato? What was the main idea of Aristotle? Describe society as it existed in the Age of Absolutism.

Test Review King John was a bad king. The people made him sign the Magna Carta.

What are rights? How do you get your rights? How do you think people came up with the idea of rights?

The Enlightenment

What is it? It happened in Europe In happened in the 18 th Century (1700s). Emphasized reason over faith and superstition Started a new way of thinking about the rights of humans.

Setting the Stage In the 1600s Europe is ruled by absolute monarchs. Absolute monarchs do whatever they want. Rich live in splendor Everybody else is generally living bad Things are not fair; there are different rights for different classes of people. How do people get rich and poor?

French Palace of Versailles

Nobles Nobles are rich people who have titles like: Duke, Lord, & Earl. They own lots of land. They don’t work. Get to advise the Monarch and vote. They are rich but usually pay no taxes.

The Clergy Church Officials. Are very powerful. Own lots of land. Supported by Kings and Queens, Usually don’t have to pay taxes.

Various Clergy

The Poor Most people were poor peasants. They usually worked as farmers. They lived in poor conditions and had to pay a lot of taxes. Don’t get to vote or participate in Govt.

Church’s Support the Ancient Regime Most European churches—Catholic and Protestant (Christian)—are supported by the monarchs of each country. Churches get special rights and don’t have to pay taxes. In return, churches tell people to support monarchs and accept how things are. The Church is also the authority on explaining the universe, etc.

Scientific Revolution During the 1500s and 1600s, scientists made new breakthroughs that helped explain the universe and the world. Copernicus —Heliocentric theory of universe. Kepler—planets travel in elliptical orbits. Galileo—Astronomy (planets are imperfect). These discoveries often angered the Catholic Church because they contradicted their teachings..

Isaac Newton English Mathematician Newton’s studies on gravity led to an understanding of motion in the universe. Led to the idea of universal laws that explained how everything worked.

Influence of the Scientific Revolution Since there are universal rules that explain the universe, through reason, people could arrive at natural laws that governed society. If one uses reason, one can figure out how to improve society. Based on Locke’s assumptions on human understanding.

Stop How do people know the difference between right and wrong? Why are people racist? What does Locke say? Do you agree?

Warm Up What was the scientific revolution? How did the scientific revolution lead to new ways of thinking about humans and society? Explain John Locke’s theory on human understanding.

Locke’s New Assumptions on Human Nature and Understanding Humans—regardless of time and place— are essentially rational. Understanding comes from experience and rational analysis. Thus, if properly enlightened, one should arrive at what is right.

What was the Enlightenment? An intellectual movement in the 18 th century that sought to improve society by emphasizing reason and “natural rights” (over faith and superstition). Also called “The Age of Reason”. Is about applying reason to improve society (the environment) and thus improve human behavior.

Natural Rights Enlightenment thinkers believe that everybody has “natural rights.” Natural rights = Rights as human beings Ex = life, liberty, and property. Enlightenment thinkers say that these are rights that governments can’t give or take away.

Review How did the Scientific revolution lead to the Enlightenment? What did John Locke believe about human understanding? Explain the idea of natural rights. How did figures of the Enlightenment believe the could improve society?

The Enlightenment Begins Primarily in Western Europe. A lot in France. Printing Press plays a role.

The Enlightenment in France Take part in “Salons.” Parlors of wealthy women who invite people over to discuss the Enlightenment ideas. In France, Enlightenment thinkers are called “Philosophes.”

Deism Most Enlightenment figures are deists. Belief in God, but not in religion God is a “watchmaker.” Most Enlightenment figures are against churches.

Warm Up What was the Enlightenment? Where did it primarily take place? What role did women play in the Enlightenment? What are “natural rights”? What was the French word for the Enlightenment Thinkers? Explain Deism.

The Encyclopedia Denis Diderot Created the first Encyclopedia.

During the Enlightenment People began to think that government and society should be changed to make people’s lives better.