THE ENLIGHTENMENT ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Was there a connection between the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment? Did the philosophes present a challenge to European political ideology? What economic ideas began to emerge during this time?

SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION Scientific successes convinced educated Europeans of the power of HUMAN REASON If reason worked for the physical world, then why not use it for NATURAL LAWS Laws explaining human behavior Solve the problems of society

SOCIAL CONTRACT HOBBES Wrote Leviathan People were naturally cruel, greedy, selfish Needed to be strictly controlled Social Contract- people gave up state of nature for organized society. Importance of a powerful government

SOCIAL CONTRACT LOCKE Wrote TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT People were basically reasonable and moral Natural Rights- right to life, liberty and property Government to protect natural rights

More Locke Believed in Checks and Balances Profited from slavery Neither the poor nor women shared in Locke’s democratic rights

SEPARATION OF POWERS MONTESQUIEU Wrote THE SPIRIT OF THE LAWS Liked Britain’s limited monarchy Promoted the belief in the value of separation of powers

VOLTAIRE Sought to promote reform society by attacking corrupt officials Saw nature as the work of God and that man was the product of nature Sought to set man free from orthodox Christian views Use reason to find moral virtue

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT Wrote “Vindication of the Rights of Woman” Feminist declaration of independence Applied liberal doctrine of inalienable human rights and applied to women She was attacked for her views

ROUSSEAU People had natural innocence that was corrupted by evils of society Believed in limited governmental control Good of the community above individual interests Individual subordinate to the community

MORE ROUSSEAU Wrote “Social Contract” - argued for the extension of democracy to all, direct democracy. Inspiration for leaders of French Revolution Praised the NOBLE SAVAGE - primitive man is not spoiled by terrible things like education and society

DIDEROT Wrote “Encyclopedia” - sought to change general way of thinking Denounced slavery, attacked divine right, attacked traditional religions French government tried to ban Helped spread ideas of the Enlightenment

ECONOMICS Adam Smith - wrote “The Wealth of Nations - free market to regulate business Believed in supply and demand Believed in laissez faire- business with little government interference

ECONOMICS Smith- free economic rein would aid the welfare of all Bourgeoisie supported, justified that greed was good

ESSENTIAL IDEAS Man is not innately depraved The aim of life is life itself, not the after-life The essential condition for the good life on earth is freeing men’s minds from ignorance and superstition

ESSENTIAL IDEAS Man, free of ignorance and of the arbitrary powers of the state, is capable of progress and perfection Everything is inter-connected, and forms part of the grand scheme of a benevolent Providence