1. The Enlightenment

2. Also known as the Age of Reason--a movement during the 17th and 18th centuries in which intellectuals stressed the use of reason and believed in human progress Reason, Natural laws, happiness and progress were key features. Centered in Paris

3. What led to the Enlightenment? 1. Scientific Rev-- promoted by Bernard de Fontenelle of the French Royal Academy- -Plurality of Worlds (1686). 2. New skepticism-- Pierre Bayle’s Historical and Critical Dictionary (1709) is an example of this. “Bible of the 18th century.” 3. Cultural relativism-- James Cook’s Travels

4. 4. Legacy of Locke and Newton Newton’s idecas of reason can be used to unlock the laws of politics, economics, the arts, etc. Locke argued that people can be molded/improved by their environment (we’re a blank slate--tabula rosa) We can create a new society!

5. Salons 17th and 18th centuries Bringing together writers and artists with aristocrats, gov’t officials, and the wealthy Women, such as Therese Geoffrin, as hostesses, in a position to affect change Promotion of conversation, the spread of ideas, influence on policy makers

6. The Big Three-French Giants Charles de Secondat baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet) (1694- 1778) Denis Diderot (1713-1785)

7. Baron de Montesquieu 1689- 1755 1. Persian Letters 2. Spirit of the Laws --separation of powers.

8. Voltaire 1694-1778 1. Tragedies— Henriade 2. Philosophic Letters in English 3. Calas affair and Treatise on Toleration. 4 “Crush the infamous thing!” 5. Deist

9. Denis Diderot (1713-1784) 1. Compiled the first Encyclopedia (28 volumes!) 2. Spread the ideas of the Enlightenment 3. Took him 20 years!

10. Toward a New “Science of Man” David Hume: Treatise on Human Nature (beginning of the social sciences) –Study of natural laws that govern human behavior Physiocrats and Adam Smith founders of modern economics François Quesnay (1694-1774) –Leader of the Physiocrats – natural economic laws –1. Land as source of wealth –2. Supply and demand –--Rejection of mercantilism (no tariffs, free trade, etc.) 3. Laissez-faire (let them do as they choose)

11. Adam Smith & Laissez-Faire Economics Adam Smith (1723-1790) Embodied Economic Liberalism –The Wealth of Nations, 1776 –Labor as source of wealth –Attack on mercantilism –Advocate of free trade –Government has only three basic functions Protect society from invasion Defend individuals from injustice and oppression Keep up public work

12. He merged Locke’s ideas of civil society with economic theory. –Free trade economics. –Saw the “invisible hand” where a benevolent God administered a universe in which human happiness was maximized.

13. He argued for three natural laws of economics: 1. The law of self-interest—people work for their own good. 2. law of competition—competition forces people to make a better product 3. law of supply and demand-in a free market economy, enough goods would be produced at the lowest possible price to meet demand.