1. The Enlightenment Thinkers

2. Thomas Hobbes Country: England Area of Interest:
Human Nature
Society
Govt./Politics
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Govt. protects people from their own evils
Leviathan
The Social Contract
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Patriot Acts
Homeland Security
FBI, CIA, IRS, FDA….

3. John Locke Country: England Area of Interest:
Human Nature
Society
Govt./Politics
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
People are naturally good
Have right to rule themselves
Right to rebel against tyranny
Second Treatise of Civil Govt.
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Declaration of Independence
Bill of Rights

4. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
Country: Russia
Area of Interest:
Politics/Govt.
Martial Arts/ Outdoor activities
KGB
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Restore Russia’s military greatness
Limit the role of NATO in former USSR
Economic growth via energy & industry
Meddling in U.S. elections
Restricting free press
Ukraine should be mine!!!
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Russia is in a long process of democratic regression & toward an authoritarian regime
He is the new Czar of Russia

5. Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (Montesquieu or “Monty”)
Get out of here you snively nosed limey!t
Country: France
Area of Interest:
Politics
Social Commentary
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Separation of Powers in Govt.
The Spirit of Laws
3 Branches: 1) Executive,
2) Legislative, 3) Judicial
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Structure of U.S. Govt.
I say Clements, a jolly good show!

6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Country: Switzerland
Area of Interest:
Writing
Political Philosophy
Musical Composition
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Liberty
Individual Rights
Direct Democracy / The General Will of the People
The Social Contract
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
U.S. Govt. = Democ. Repub.

7. François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)
Country: France
Area of Interest:
Justice & Freedom
Common Good
History
Prolific Writer
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Against any form of prejudice & intolerance
Supported rule by enlightened monarchs
Separation of church & state
Freedom of speech & religion
Letters on the English
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Civil Rights Acts
Religious freedom = 1st Amendment
Freedom of Speech, Press, Assembly = 1st Amendment Rights
Crush the damned thing!

8. Adam Smith Country: Scotland Area of Interest: Economics
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Father of Modern Capitalism
Laissez Faire = no govt. in econ.
Invisible hand
Wealth of Nations
3 Natural Econ. Laws: 1) supply & demand, 2) profit motive,
3) competition
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Market Economies
NAFTA
Stock market

9. Mary Wollstonecraft Country: England
Area of Interest: Writing, Philosophy
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Advocate for women’s rights & education
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Thoughts on the Education of Daughters
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Modern Feminism
Improved education for women

10. Olympe de Gouges Country: France
Area of Interest: Journalist & Playwright
Summary of Philosophy / Beliefs:
Free speech
Analysis of women’s condition in society
Advocated emancipation of slaves
Declaration of the Rights of Women & the Female Citizen
Application of Philosophy / Beliefs to Today:
Strong advocate for women’s rights regarding divorce & unwed mother
Advocacy for the poor & underprivileged