The Enlightenment - Jigsaw Reading - Student A

European expansion and cultural relativism

A military encounter between a Dutch masted sailing ship and Spanish galleys, 1602.

European expansion and cultural relativism

A representation of a 16th century encounter betweenSpanish Conquistadors and native Americans.

European expansion and cultural relativism

• Michel de Montaigne 1533 – 1592

European expansion and cultural relativism

• Michel de Montaigne 1533 – 1592

• Essays ‘Of Cannibals’ and ‘Of Custom’ introduced Europeans to notion of cultural relativism

European expansion and cultural relativism

• Michel de Montaigne 1533 – 1592

• Essays ‘Of Cannibals’ and ‘Of Custom’ introduced Europeans to notion of cultural relativism

• “the laws of conscience, which we say are born of nature, are in effect, born on custom”

Adam Smith 1723-1790

• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth

Adam Smith 1723-1790

• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth

• Smith developed Locke’s view that governments should promote the happiness and fulfilment of their citizens

Adam Smith 1723-1790

• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth

• Smith developed Locke’s view that governments should promote the happiness and fulfilment of their citizens

• Founder of laissez-faire economics: let self-interest of consumers direct the expansion of the market

Adam Smith 1723-1790

• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth

• Smith developed Locke’s view that governments should promote the happiness and fulfilment of their citizens

• Founder of laissez-faire economics: let self-interest of consumers direct the expansion of the market

• Enlightenment faith in free markets still strong today despite poverty and inequality

Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755

• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy

Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755

• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy

• “Liberty does not consist in unlimited freedom; Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit”

Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755

• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy

• “Liberty does not consist in unlimited freedom; Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit”

• The executive, the legislative, and the judiciary should not be held by the same person or institution

Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755

• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy

• “Liberty does not consist in unlimited freedom; Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit”

• The executive, the legislative, and the judiciary should not be held by the same person or institution

• Separated centres of power should check and balance each other: “Power should be a check to power”

• Influenced development of American constitution