The Enlightenment in Europe (The Age of Reason) Ch. 6.2 A revolution in intellectual activity changes Europeans’ view of government and society.

New Ways of Thinking Scientific Revolution—new way of viewing natural world — based on observation, inquiry spurs reassessment of many prevailing ideas Europeans seek insights into society during the 1600s, 1700s and early 1800s Notions of reason & order moved into other fields. Leads to the Enlightenment — an intellectual movement stressing reason and thought - Europeans tried to apply reason & the Scientific Method to laws that shaped human action *Philosophers & scholars in Europe, began to rethink long-held beliefs about the human condition Esp. rights & liberties of ordinary citizens

Two Views on Government Hobbes’s Social Contract Hobbes distrusts humans, favors strong government to keep order Promotes social contract—getting order by giving power to monarch (as opposed to God giving the King power, the King’s power comes from the people) Locke’s Natural Rights Philosopher John Locke says government gets power from the people Stresses that people have a right to overthrow an unjust government

The Philosophes Advocate Reason Beliefs of the Philosophes The philosophes are French social critics in the mid-1700s Five main beliefs Truth by using reason What is natural is good and reasonable Acting according to nature can bring happiness Using a scientific view people and society can make progress, thus leading to a better life Using reason, people can gain freedom

philosophes Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers Montesquieu—French writer who admires Britain’s government system Favors separation of powers to keep one body from running government Rousseau: Champion of Freedom Rousseau—philosophe who favors individual freedom, direct democracy; civilization corrupts people’s natural goodness Wanted a society where people are equal Views social contract as agreement by free people to form government

philosophes Voltaire Combats Intolerance Voltaire—influential philosophe, pen name of François Marie Arouet Publishes many works arguing for tolerance and reason fought for freedom of speech and religious belief Beccaria Promotes Criminal Justice Italian philosopher Cesare Beccaria works to reform justice system Calls for speedy trials, greater rights for criminal defendants

Women and the Enlightenment Views on Women’s Education Change Many Enlightenment thinkers take traditional views of women’s role (a woman’s place in society) Prominent writer Mary Wollstonecraft urges greater rights for women: “If all men are born free, than why are all women born slaves?: - argues women need quality education to be virtuous and useful - urges women to go into traditionally male professions like politics Some wealthy women use their status to spread Enlightenment ideas

Legacy of the Enlightenment Role of the Philosophes The philosophes are not activists, but inspire major revolutions Belief in Progress Scientific breakthroughs show human capacity to improve society A More Secular Outlook (non-religious) New knowledge of the world leads people to question religious ideas Stressed the importance of the individual

Write 3 – 4 sentences for your answer. How do you think Enlightenment thinkers and writers set the stage for revolutionary movements?

The Enlightenment (Age of Reason)