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Enlightenment. Enlightenment The middle years of the 18 th century characterized by the use of reason and the scientific method. use of reason and the.

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Presentation on theme: "Enlightenment. Enlightenment The middle years of the 18 th century characterized by the use of reason and the scientific method. use of reason and the."— Presentation transcript:

1 Enlightenment

2 Enlightenment The middle years of the 18 th century characterized by the use of reason and the scientific method. use of reason and the scientific method.

3 Age of Enlightenment Brought together ideas of Renaissance and Scientific Revolution Brought together ideas of Renaissance and Scientific Revolution –Spirit of curiosity and questioning of accepted ideas of the Age of Faith –Scientific Method – a logical procedure for gathering information and testing ideas –Revolutionized the way we think –Use of Reason

4 Reason The absence of intolerance, bigotry and prejudice in one’s thinking.

5 Isaac Newton Last great figure of Scientific Revolution or first great figure of the Enlightenment Last great figure of Scientific Revolution or first great figure of the Enlightenment Used reason to explain the Used reason to explain the laws governing nature Thought all physical objects were affected equally by the same force Thought all physical objects were affected equally by the same force Published theories in Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy - Principia Published theories in Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy - Principia

6 Enlightenment People began to look for laws governing human behavior People began to look for laws governing human behavior Hoped to apply reason and scientific method to all aspects of society – religion, government, economics, education Hoped to apply reason and scientific method to all aspects of society – religion, government, economics, education Enlightenment or Age of Reason – at its height in mid 1700s; began with English political thinkers in mid 1600s. Enlightenment or Age of Reason – at its height in mid 1700s; began with English political thinkers in mid 1600s.

7 Thomas Hobbes Thought conflict was part of human nature Thought conflict was part of human nature Saw people as naturally selfish and violent Saw people as naturally selfish and violent Wrote Leviathan – people give up rights to a strong ruler to escape conflict Wrote Leviathan – people give up rights to a strong ruler to escape conflict Felt absolute monarch was needed to keep citizens under control Felt absolute monarch was needed to keep citizens under control

8 Hobbes - Leviathan

9 John Locke People not born good or evil but are shape by their experiences People not born good or evil but are shape by their experiences Can learn and improve Can learn and improve All people born free with 3 natural rights – life, liberty and property All people born free with 3 natural rights – life, liberty and property Purpose of government – to protect rights Purpose of government – to protect rights

10 John Locke continued If government fails to protect rights, citizens have the right to overthrow it. If government fails to protect rights, citizens have the right to overthrow it. Idea that a government’s power comes from the consent of the people – foundation of modern democracy Idea that a government’s power comes from the consent of the people – foundation of modern democracy Inspired struggles for liberty in Europe and the Americas Inspired struggles for liberty in Europe and the Americas

11 Enlightenment Height – 1700’s in France; Paris became meeting place for great thinkers Height – 1700’s in France; Paris became meeting place for great thinkers Social Critics – Philosophes (French word for philosopher) – a group of thinkers who set forth the idea that people could apply reason to all aspects of life Social Critics – Philosophes (French word for philosopher) – a group of thinkers who set forth the idea that people could apply reason to all aspects of life Opposed the traditions of absolute monarchy and divine right; objected to special privileges of nobility and clergy; turned away from traditional religious beliefs Opposed the traditions of absolute monarchy and divine right; objected to special privileges of nobility and clergy; turned away from traditional religious beliefs

12 Voltaire – aka Francois Marie Arouet Became spokesperson of the Enlightenment Became spokesperson of the Enlightenment Most brilliant and influential of philosophes Most brilliant and influential of philosophes Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, history and drama Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, history and drama Used satire and humor against opponents Used satire and humor against opponents Sent to prison twice for insulting nobles Sent to prison twice for insulting nobles

13 Voltaire Exiled to England Exiled to England Admired government Admired government Fought for tolerance, reason and limited government Fought for tolerance, reason and limited government Champion of Free Speech Champion of Free Speech “I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” “I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

14 Baron de Montesquieu French nobleman French nobleman Devoted to study of political liberty Devoted to study of political liberty Admired English system of government Admired English system of government On the Spirit of Laws – outlines practices that he believed would protect people’s rights and lead to good government On the Spirit of Laws – outlines practices that he believed would protect people’s rights and lead to good government

15 Baron de Montesquieu Urged separation of power – division of authority among different branches of government Urged separation of power – division of authority among different branches of government –Legislative – make the laws –Executive – carry out the laws –Judicial – interpret the laws Would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government – would safeguard the liberty of people Would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government – would safeguard the liberty of people

16 Separation of Power Checks and balances Checks and balances

17 Jean Jacques Rousseau Disagreed with other Enlightenment thinkers who were concerned with individual rights Disagreed with other Enlightenment thinkers who were concerned with individual rights General Will – rule of majority is supreme General Will – rule of majority is supreme “natural man v. noble savage “natural man v. noble savage –Natural man – lives outdoors in harmony with nature; is better off –Noble savage – people who live in civilized society are unhappy, insecure, selfish “Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains.” “Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains.”

18 Jean Jacques Rousseau The Social Contract (1762) The Social Contract (1762) –Proposed ideal society based on a new kind of social contract; people did not give a ruler or representative the power to make laws – instead would have a form of direct democracy where each member of the community would vote on issues and the will of the majority would become law. Popular Sovereignty – only legitimate government was one that ruled with the consent of the people Popular Sovereignty – only legitimate government was one that ruled with the consent of the people

19 Mercantilism Economic Policy of 17 th century Economic Policy of 17 th century Power = Wealth Wealth = Gold, Silver To increase power: increase wealth How?

20 Mercantilism Export more than import Exports – goods leaving country Imports – goods coming into country Difference paid in gold, silver How do you assure this? Tariffs – tax on imports Subsidies – government pays a part of the cost of production of domestic products Lot of government intervention

21 Adam Smith Scottish professor Scottish professor Champion of economic liberty Champion of economic liberty Wealth of Nations – defended idea of a free economy Wealth of Nations – defended idea of a free economy Believed government should not interfere with business – called laissez faire (French for leave alone) Believed government should not interfere with business – called laissez faire (French for leave alone)

22 Adam Smith 3 natural laws of economics 3 natural laws of economics –Law of Self Interest – people act for selfish reasons –Law of Competition – forces people to make a better product –Law of Supply and Demand Supply – quantity available for sale Supply – quantity available for sale Demand – quantity that people will buy Demand – quantity that people will buy

23 Political Reforms Enlightenment thinkers admired English system of gov’t – limited monarchy Enlightenment thinkers admired English system of gov’t – limited monarchy Most opposed democracy Most opposed democracy Voltaire – “I hate the idea of government by the masses.” – felt best was a monarchy in which the ruler shared the ideas of philosophes and respected people’s rights – enlightened despots; HRE Joseph II of Austria, Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia Voltaire – “I hate the idea of government by the masses.” – felt best was a monarchy in which the ruler shared the ideas of philosophes and respected people’s rights – enlightened despots; HRE Joseph II of Austria, Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia

24 Spread of Ideas Royal Society of London (1660) – held lectures on science & other topics Royal Society of London (1660) – held lectures on science & other topics Denis Diderot – Encyclopedia Denis Diderot – Encyclopedia –28 volume work – collection of information on many topics by many philosophes; attacked injustices in society.

25 Spread of Ideas Salons – social gathering where writers, philosophers and artists met regularly; usually sponsored by wealthy women Salons – social gathering where writers, philosophers and artists met regularly; usually sponsored by wealthy women Madame Geoffrin

26 The Spread of Ideas Admiration for order and reason reflected in arts Admiration for order and reason reflected in arts –Baroque – style of 16 th and 17 th century Grand, ornate Grand, ornate –Classical – borrowed from Greeks, Romans Emphasis on order and balance Emphasis on order and balance Great musical figures – Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven Great musical figures – Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven


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