Historical Figures

The Enlightenment Can anyone tell me about the Enlightenment? When was it? Where was it? What was it When: late 17 th century until the middle of the 18 th century Where: Europe What: An attempt to progress society from actions based solely on religion and tradition. What did Enlightenment thinkers want actions and decisions to be based on? Logic, reason and scientific method

Enlightenment Cont.’ Two things are important to note. First, these were thinkers who discussed things. None of the Enlightenment philosophers were necessarily calling for immediate action. They, themselves, did not want to be the King. Second, they were not calling for an elimination of religion, just moving society along, instead of holding it back “because it was what the church wanted” Why is the Enlightenment significant? It challenged the status quo. It told people to question the world around them, not be defiant, but inquisitive. This is the type of thinking that led to things like the American Revolution.

Baron de Montesquieu – French philosopher What do we know about governments at this time? Most were authoritarian All of the power rested with one individual or small group Montesquieu discusses how power could be split up, and thus you would avoid many of the problems that governments faced – corruption, power struggles, civil wars So what was he talking about? Montesquieu is one of the first philosophers to discuss Separation of Powers Also discusses the role of religion – God made man and some guiding principles, but that’s the extent to which religion should be involved. How does that differ from what was going on at that time? How does that differ from what is going on today?

Thomas Hobbes – English philosopher Writes “Leviathan” What is a leviathan? This is how Hobbes viewed the potential of government Establishes the Social Contract What is a social contract? An agreement between a government and the citizens whereby the government will rule fairly and protect the citizens. In turn, the citizens will obey the government. As long as the government upholds its end of the deal, it will be considered a “legitimate government” What are some benefits for the governments at that time? What were some consequences? What would governments today prefer? Why?

John Locke –English philosopher Comes after Hobbes and furthers his work on social contract theory Discusses the origins of government and the state of nature What do you think the state of nature is? Locke is considered to be the leading influence of men like Madison, Adams, Sherman, Hamilton and Jefferson His ideas are seen throughout the Declaration of Independence Unalienable rights Right to revolt Theory of rights

Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Swiss philosopher Discusses the state of nature and the social contract He and Hobbes disagree about the virtues of man Hobbes thinks that man is naturally inclined toward selfish wickedness, whereas Rousseau thought that government would be the problem He thought that monarchs were bad and that citizens should demand democracy Did not want a republican form of government, however, because he thought that would lead to some of the same problems

Alexis de Tocqueville – French philosopher What has already happened in the time that Tocqueville comes onto the scene? Wrote “Democracy in America” Written during shortly before the French Revolution Urged aristocratic societies to adopt democracy. He saw what America was becoming and said that it should be the model for other nations. Says that inequality should be the incentive for the poor to work hard Is that how our society is today?