The Age of Reason & Enlightenment

Characteristics of the Enlightenment Thought Rationalism  reason is the arbiter of all things. Secularism  application of the methods of science to religion & philosophy. Scientific Method  analysis, experimentation, inductive reasoning. Utilitarianism  the greatest good for the greatest number. Tolerance  Any or no religious belief is tolerated Optimism & Self-Confidence  man is intrinsically good. Freedom of thought and expression  Liberty for all (battle against absolutism). Education of the Masses – Public Education Legal Reforms  Due Process, Justice, Fairness, Equality Constitutionalism  Written constitutions listing individual rights

The Enlightenment The dominant intellectual movement of the 18th Century Although an international movement, it was dominant in France French thinkers were known as “Philosophes” Critics of government, economics, and religion Advocates of change and improvement in the human condition and reform of society Believed that human reason could solve all problems Reason would reveal natural laws that regulated human nature

Traditions and Superstitions The “Great Debate” Reason & Logic Traditions and Superstitions rationalism empiricism tolerance skepticism Deism nostalgia for the past organized religions irrationalism emotionalism

French Philosophes often met in salons sponsored by prominent Parisian women known as Salonnieres

Madame Suzanne Necker (1739-1794) The Salonnieres Madame Geoffrin (1699-1777) Madame Suzanne Necker (1739-1794)

John Locke (1632-1704) Essay Concerning Human Understanding English thinker and writer who influenced others during Enlightenment and in the American colonies. Two major works: Essay Concerning Human Understanding At birth every human mind is blank. All knowledge comes from experience. Repudiated the view that humans were born to submit to authority Second Treatise of Government Based on the Social Contract Theory that people have come together in a social contract to protect life, liberty, & property. When government fails to protect peoples natural rights and instead interferes with them the people have the right to rebel

The French Philosophes

Voltaire (1694-1778) Prolific and witty writer who criticized France’s Old Regime. Most famous work is his satirical work Candide in which he attacks superstition, religious persecution, war, and the human condition. He admired English government and spirit ot tolerance. In his Letters on the English he advocates free speech, praises England's limited monarchy and denounced the French “I may not agree with a word you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) The Social Contract - 1762 Swiss born philosopher. Less vocal and controversial than Voltaire. Believed strongly in goodness of human nature. Concerned primarily with moral freedom and believed that European society had become too decadent and that enlightened thinkers had contributed to this. He called for a simpler life in which individuals should focus on exercise, self-reliance and independent thinking. Proposed the idea of the noble savage who controls his life and destiny In his book The Social Contract he advocated that government should be based on popular sovereignty and people have the right to change government when they are discontented

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755 French attorney and philosopher who believe no single political system was ideal. He believed different governments were better for different systems. He did believe that the perfect government would have separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent tyranny by leaders. He expressed this in Spirit of the Laws (1748) Strongly opposed slavery as being contrary to natural law in which all men are born free and independent.

Denis Diderot (1713-1784) Compiled collection of the work of the philosophes and all knowledge, into the Encyclopedia: The Rational Dictionary of the Sciences, the Arts, and the Crafts 28 Volumes 60,000 articles, 2885 illustrations Took 25 years to finish (began in 1751) Philosophes, scientists and scholars contributed to the work.

Pages from Diderot’s Encyclopedia

Pages from Diderot’s Encyclopedia

Enlightened Despotism – The idea that absolute rulers could use their authority to promote reform to improve the lives of their subjects Frederick the Great of Prussia (r. 1740-1786) Catherine the Great of Russia (r. 1762-1796) Joseph II of Austria (r. 1765-1790)

The Legacy of the Enlightenment The democratic revolutions begun in America in 1776 and continued in Amsterdam, Brussels, and especially in Paris in the late 1780s, put every Western government on the defensive. Reform, democracy, and republicanism moved to the forefront of western thought New forms of civil society arose –-- clubs, salons, fraternities, private academies, lending libraries, and professional/scientific organizations.