The EnlightenmentWorld Civilizations

Madison Southern High School

What’s the Story?!

• Advances in Science resulted in a scientific revolution and convinced people of the power of reason.

• What does it mean to use “reason”?

• This is the ability to think logically and solve a problem. Reason could be used to help society.

What Else?

• The Enlightenment was a time of optimism where it was believed that reason could be used to solve all human problems.

• Paris was the center of this intellectual movement.

• People began to question the government and its role in their lives.

And there’s more…

• The reign of Louis XIV (14), his great grandson Louis XV (15), and his great-great grandson Louis XVI (16), helped to prompt the movement.

What About GIRLS?!

• Wealthy Parisian women hosted gatherings called salons to discuss these ideas.

• The ideas that were discussed in Salons began to spread through writing.

New Views on Government

Thomas Hobbes

• Leviathan (1651).

• People are selfish and greedy.

• We need government to maintain order.

• Should give up freedoms to a strong leader in order to achieve safety – Social Contract.

• Believed the best form of government was an absolute monarchy.

John Locke

• Two Treatises on Government (1690).

• People were naturally tolerant and reasonable.

• We’re born with three natural rights – Life, Liberty, and Property.

• Purpose of government is to protect those rights.

• If government failed to do so, it should be overthrown by the governed.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• French philosopher (1712-1778).

• His major work, The Social Contract, was significant.

• Government should work for the benefit of the common good.

• Argued that people were born innocent and were good at heart.

• It was civilization that corrupted people.

• Best government was a Direct Democracy.

Baron de Montesquieu

• The Spirit of Laws (1758).

• Argued that the best form of government included a separation of powers.

• Advocated for various branches of government.

• A separation of political powers ensured freedom and liberty for people.

• Ideas influenced the United States government.

New Views on Society

Voltaire• French, 1712-1788.

• Essay on the Customs and Spirits of Nations (1756).

• Wrote against the injustices of society – free speech.

• “Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.”

• “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”

• “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Diderot

• French, 1713-1784.

• Wrote an Encyclopedia to compile all the new works being written at the time.

• 17 volumes, thousands of articles, questioned religion.

• Criticized intolerance, legal injustice, and anachronistic (outdated) social institutions.

Mary Wollstonecraft

• English, 1759-1797.

• Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792).

• Rejected the idea that the new philosophies only applied to men.

• “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.”

Adam Smith

• English, 1723-1790.

• Major work – Wealth of Nations.

• Argued for a free market economy – Laissez Faire.

• Government should rarely intervene in the market.

• The natural spirit of competition in human beings means they will improve their lives themselves.

Final Thoughts

• In your opinion, which philosopher makes the most sense to you?

• Which philosophers ideas do you not agree with?