1. The Enlightenment

2. The Enlightenment Main Idea
European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment.
Reading Focus
How was the Enlightenment influenced by reason?
What new views did philosophers have about government?
What new views did philosophers have about society?
How did Enlightenment spread?

3. What is Reason?
Reason is a term that refers to the capacity human beings have to make sense of things, to establish and verify facts and to change or justify practices, institutions, and beliefs

4. The Age of Reason
Scientific Revolution convinced many European thinkers about power of reason
Scientific method and reason led to discoveries about physical world
Wondered if reason could be used to study human nature, society
New generation of philosophers, 1600s
Viewed reason as best way to understand truth
Concluded reason could be used to solve all human problems
This time of optimism now called the Enlightenment

5. Intellectual Movement
During the 18th century, certain thinkers and writers, primarily in London and Paris, believed that they were more enlightened than their compatriots and set out to enlighten them.
Voltaire
Rousseau
Locke
Diderot

6. Ideas of Enlightenment
Educated people throughout Europe and beyond were inspired
Held notion that world problems could be solved
New ideas debated in coffeehouses, public spaces
Writers published ideas in books, magazines, pamphlets

7. Paris, center of intellectual activity
The Age of Reason
Reached peak in 1700s
Paris, center of intellectual activity
Parisian women hosted social gatherings, salons
Philosophers, artists, scientists, writers regularly discussed ideas
Peak of Enlightenment

8. Answer(s): Reason could be used to solve all human problems.
Find the Main Idea
What exciting conclusion did philosophers reach during the Enlightenment?
Answer(s): Reason could be used to solve all human problems.

9. New Views on Government
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
French philosopher, believed people are basically good
Believed society corrupted people
Wrote The Social Contract, contract between all members of society and their government.
View of Government, Society
Believed government should work for common good, not wealthy few
Individuals should give up some freedoms for benefit of community
Despised (hated) inequality in society
Views inspired revolutionaries in years to come

10. Social Contract Explained
In The Social Contract, Rousseau explained his political theories, which would later influence the writers of the United States Constitution as well as the leaders of the French Revolution. "Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains." Because humans are corrupted by society, all people must enter into a social contract that requires people to recognize a collective "good will," which represents the common good or public interest. All citizens should participate and should be committed to the good of all, even if it is not in their personal best interest. He believed that living for the common good promotes liberty and equality.

11. New Views on Government
As the Enlightenment began, European thinkers began looking for ways to apply reason in order to improve the human condition.
English thinker, wrote views of government in Leviathan
Absolute monarchy best
Believed people needed government to impose order
People selfish, greedy
Should exchange some freedoms for peace, safety, order
Social contract
Thomas Hobbes
English philosopher, believed all people born equal
Government should protect people’s natural rights
Monarchs not chosen by God
Government by consent
Power limited by laws
Ideas foundation for modern democracy
John Locke

12. Make Inferences
Why was the subject of government so important to Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau?
Answer(s): Each philosopher had strong opinions about the power and purpose of government.

14. How successful were the reforms of the enlightened despots?
Draw Conclusions
How successful were the reforms of the enlightened despots?
Answer(s): They were successful but limited by political opposition.

15. 1. What was the enlightenment
1. What was the enlightenment? (hint: European thinkers developed new ideas about what?)
What could be used to solve all human problems?
In which two cities did the enlightenment begin?
What did these thinkers believe?
Did these thinkers publish their ideas? If so, where?
Where was the center of intellectual activity?
According to Rousseau, what corrupted people?
What did Rousseau write?
What did Rousseau believe about the government?
What did Rousseau despise (hate)?
What is the social contract?
What does "Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains" mean?
What book did Thomas Hobbes write?
Which government did Hobbes think was the most efficient way to govern?
According to Hobbes what were the three reasons people needed government?
What did John Locke believe about people? They are all born___________
Locke believed power should be limited by what?