1. The Enlightenment

2. The Enlightenment - 18th century
Major ideas
Reason is only infallible guide to knowledge - sense experience
The universe works like a clock
Optimistic about the future - man can improve with reason
Attacked Calvinist belief, man basically good

3. The Philosophes French word means philosophers
were more though, were interested in improving society around them
expanded on Locke’s idea of “natural rights”
had great confidence in the use of science and reason

4. Gathered in Paris- urban group helped make Enlightenment ideas popular
salons
helped make Enlightenment ideas popular
often came from middle class families
well-educated
concerned about social issues
valued clear thinking, wit, and humor

5. Concerned about many social issues
urged religious toleration
called for freedom of speech and press
criticized censorship
encouraged education
denounced slavery
spoke out against torture and cruel and unusual punishment
campaigned for better treatment of the mentally ill

6. Enlightenment Thinkers
Reexamined society using scientific method.
Thought they could use reason to discover natural laws that governed behavior.

7. Thomas Hobbes Lived during England’s Civil War 1651 – The Leviathon
Described man in a state of nature
“nasty, brutish, and short”
To escape this, people enter a contract

8. People give up freedom to gain peace and order
No right to rebel
Best government – one where ruler has complete control – Absolute monarchy
Man basically evil, bad

9. John Locke English philosopher 1690 – Two Treatises on Government
Believed gov’t was a contract
Needed to establish order
BUT, optimistic view of man
People had natural rights – life, liberty, and property

10. King must be responsible to the people
People have the right to rebel
Called for a limited monarchy
“tabula rasa”

11. Jean Jacques Rousseau Swiss philosopher
Poor, unhappy, complainer, a rebel
Believed human nature basically good, society corrupts
All people are equal. Get rid of titles, etc.
Admired the “noble savage”

12. Wrote The Social Contract
Described the ideal society
Rule by the “General Will” – decisions of the majority
Emotion important, reason doesn’t solve everything

13. “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.”

14. Voltaire French, middle class
Argued for religious toleration and freedom of thought
Favored an “Enlightened monarch”

15. “I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

16. Wanted to destroy conventional thought
Used satire – Candide
Attacked organized religion, intolerance, ignorance

17. Baron de Montesquieu Born to a wealthy French family
Wrote The Spirit of the Laws
Said there were 3 forms of govt
Most impressed with England’s

18. Called for a separation of powers
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
Called for a system of checks and balances
These ideas put into our Constitution

19. Enlightened Rulers Frederick the Great Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Maria Theresa
Joseph II