1. Renaissance Philosophy

2. All humans were naturally selfish and wicked, therefore governments must keep order. All humans were naturally selfish and wicked, therefore governments must keep order. People should hand over their rights to a strong ruler. This was what Hobbes called a social contract. People should hand over their rights to a strong ruler. This was what Hobbes called a social contract. Strong ruler should have total power (an absolute monarchy). Strong ruler should have total power (an absolute monarchy). This powerful government with awesome power is what he called a leviathan (sea monster) therefore he titled his book Leviathan (1651). This powerful government with awesome power is what he called a leviathan (sea monster) therefore he titled his book Leviathan (1651). Thomas Hobbes

3. John Locke People were reasonable (though still selfish) and had the natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Purpose of government is to protect these natural rights. Government power comes from the consent of the people.

4. Voltaire Wrote more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Wrote more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Used satire against his enemies, especially the clergy. Used satire against his enemies, especially the clergy. Beliefs: Beliefs: Tolerance Tolerance Reason Reason Freedom of religious belief Freedom of religious belief Freedom of speech Freedom of speech “ I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it. ” “ I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it. ”

5. Montesqieu Believed Britain was the best-governed and most politically balanced country of his own day. Proposed the “ separation of powers ” between executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Proposed “ checks and balances. ”

6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau Passionately committed to individual freedom. Passionately committed to individual freedom. Believed man was born free and good but easily corrupted. Believed man was born free and good but easily corrupted. Believed the only good government was the “ general will ” or direct democracy. Believed the only good government was the “ general will ” or direct democracy.

7. Rousseau’s Philosophy Question: Does progress in the arts and sciences correspond with progress in morality? Question: Does progress in the arts and sciences correspond with progress in morality? NO! NO! As civilizations progress, they move away from morality As civilizations progress, they move away from morality Science and art raised artificial barriers between people and their natural state Science and art raised artificial barriers between people and their natural state Therefore, the revival of science and the arts had corrupted social morals not improved them. Therefore, the revival of science and the arts had corrupted social morals not improved them.

8. The Social Contract- Rousseau The Social Contract: The Social Contract: The right kind of political order could make people truly moral and free. The right kind of political order could make people truly moral and free. Individual moral freedom could be achieved only by learning to subject one’s individual interests to the “General Will.: Individual moral freedom could be achieved only by learning to subject one’s individual interests to the “General Will.: Individuals did this by entering into a social contract not with their rulers, but with each other. Individuals did this by entering into a social contract not with their rulers, but with each other. This social contract was derived from human nature, not from history, tradition, or the Bible. This social contract was derived from human nature, not from history, tradition, or the Bible.

9. Cesare Bonesana Beccaria Beliefs Beliefs Laws existed to preserve social order, not avenge crime. Laws existed to preserve social order, not avenge crime. Accused should receive speedy trials. Accused should receive speedy trials. Torture should never be used. Torture should never be used. Degree of punishment should match seriousness of crime. Degree of punishment should match seriousness of crime. Capital punishment (death penalty) should be abolished. Capital punishment (death penalty) should be abolished.

10. Mary Wollstonecraft Women should be equally educated along with men. Women should be equally educated along with men. Women should enter professions traditionally dominated by men like medicine and politics. Women should enter professions traditionally dominated by men like medicine and politics. Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman