1.Natural Science and reason can explain all aspects of life.

2.The Scientific Method can explain the laws of human society.

3.Progress – the creation of better societies and better people – is possible.

1.Secular (often in conflict with churches – reason rather than faith was important)

2.Impacted Urban Middle Class and Aristocracy

3.Urban Poor and Peasants were unaffected (more worried about survival)

Philosophe

A person whose reflections were unhampered by constraints of religion or dogma.

1.Critical of nobility and clergy

2.Freedom, Individuality, & Social Improvements

3.Question Human Nature

4.Question Government