1. Philosophes *social or political thinkers of the
Enlightenment that believed in
Locke’s social contract and
Newton’s laws of motion
*believed in the freedom of speech
and individual liberties

2. Natural Law
universal moral law, or truth, that could be understood by applying reason

3. Absolute Power vs. Individual Liberties

4. Thomas Hobbes
*believed that an absolute monarchy was the best form of government
*believed that without absolute government there would be chaos
*believed that people should agree to give up freedoms because this would be in the best interest of the country
*believed that absolute government would protect them and keep the people safe from chaos
*people did not have the right to rebel

5. John Locke *believed that government and the people
entered into a social contract
*believed that people had a right to life, liberty,
and property (natural rights)
*believed that the people had the right to revolt
against the king if the government failed to uphold
their natural rights

6. Montesquieu Called all aspects of French society into question
Considerations on the Grandeur and Decadence of the Romans, 1734
- examined the decline and fall to understand natural laws of government
- Rome fell because grandeur and decadence destroyed traditional Roman virtues
- Conclusion: One can only maintain a healthy govt. / society by maintaining virtue

7. The Spirit of Laws, 1748 *All govt. fit into one of three categories
*Republics, Monarchies and Despots
*Republics were upheld by virtue and moderation, but threatened by vice and excess
*Monarchies were upheld by honor, kings guided by LAW, threatened by corruption
*Despotism was monarchy without the guidance of law, authority rested upon fear & oppression
*To prevent the rise of Despotism, govt. must have the power to govern but also prevent corruption and the loss of virtue
*Separation of power and checks and balances will prevent the rise of despotism

8. Philosophical Letters Concerning the English Nation, 1734
Voltaire
Philosophical Letters Concerning the English Nation, 1734
*Presented the English system as superior to the French in terms of religious tolerance, political constitution and empirical expression of thought
*Strong Believer of Individual Rights
-”I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!”

9. *Law is the expression of the “General Will”
Rousseau
*Saw man’s existence in nature as essentially good, society corrupted and turned man evil
*opposed parties and political associations as representing the ideas of a few
*opposed organized religion independent of the state as a violation of the GW
*Law is the expression of the “General Will”

10. Emile, 1762 Story of a child and an ideal education
- Heavy influence of Locke (blank mind), Rousseau saw the individual as a “noble savage” who was corrupted by society
-Education should focus on the individual and the transformation of the individual into a citizen

11. Social Contract, 1762
-Attempt to take the “noble savage” of Emile and place them into society as a citizen
-Man entered society of their own accord and retained their sovereignty
-The state should be controlled not by a separation of powers but by the law, which should represent the general desires of the people – the General Will

12. Rousseau General Will *What is best for the state
*The majority do not necessarily express the general
will (majority might be mistaken)
Will of All
*The total sum of what the people want
How do you determine what is best for the state?
*Rousseau’s view altered between democracy and
totalitarianism
*will asking the public lead the WofA or the GW?
*will telling the public what is in their best interest
equate to a loss of freedoms?

13. Adam Smith “Father of Modern Capitalism”
Urged a policy of laissez-faire or no government interference. No tariffs or taxes.
Competition (the “invisible hand” of the market) would lead to the appropriate pricing of goods
Disapproved of minimum wage laws and the restrictions of trade (would be harmful to the economic health of the country)
“The Wealth of Nations” argued for the free market, productive labor would lead to a surplus (of labor) that could be reinvested into production.

14. Cesare Beccaria Crimes and Punishments, 1764
Laws should be instituted to promote happiness within society
Punishment should be just and act as a deterrent to crime and rehabilitation
Advocated the abolition of torture and capital punishment
Punishment should equate to the damage done to society and the welfare of the state

15. Principles of Enlightened Thought 1
Principles of Enlightened Thought 1. Reason: Logic which is absent of intolerance, bigotry and prejudice Nature: Natural laws for everything Happiness: Result of accepting nature’s laws Progress: Could perfect human society Liberty: Freedom of thought

16. Impact of the Enlightenment
1. New Educational Model
Social reform through education was seen as the key to creating a better society
2. Ideas of Progress and Optimism
Enlightenment philosophers believed that it was possible to improve society

17. Impact of Enlightenment
3. Law
*Beccaria impacted the legislative reforms of Enlightened despots
4. Religious Toleration
5. Social change
*Individuals saw the purpose of life to increase
their happiness through the advancement of
their self interests