9/4 Focus: The Scientific Revolution inspired intellectuals to apply reason to the study not only of science but also of human society Do Now: Identify one European absolute monarch?
9/5 Focus: European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the enlightenment Do Now: What impact did the Scientific Revolution have on the enlightenment?
The Enlightenment
The Scientific Revolution Period in the 1500’s and 1600’s Scientific thinkers began using observation and experimentation to explain the natural world Use of the Scientific Method Sir Francis Bacon
The Scientific Revolution Before the Scientific Revolution After the Scientific Revolution Religious teachings and traditional beliefs explained the universe and how the world worked Observation and experimentation used to explain natural world and solve problems Scientific Method Examination of natural laws governing the universe Ex. The Laws of Gravity
The Enlightenment The use of reason to guide people’s thoughts about mankind and its relationship to government and society Known as the Age of Reason Challenged traditional authority Introduced new ways of viewing: Government Authority Power Law
Natural Law Writers and philosophers tried to use reason to discover laws that govern human behavior
9/8 Focus: Enlightenment philosophers created new assumptions about the proper use of power, who had authority, and what made up a good government Do Now: Identify one Enlightenment thinker that was discussed in Global I.
9/9 Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: Enlightenment thinkers used the scientific revolutions emphasis on reason to suggest reforms in government and society. Important Terms: Reason, Natural Law, Social Contract Do Now: Which Enlightenment philosopher believed that all people were born with certain natural rights?
Philosophes Enlightenment ideas spread from Europe to the Americas Paris, France became a meeting place for enlightenment philosophers Met in salons Discussed politics and ideas about human nature
Philosophes Five core beliefs: Reason Nature/Natural laws Happiness Living by nature’s law Progress Trying to improve society Liberty Reason could set society free
Enlightenment Philosophers Thomas Hobbes John Locke Voltaire Enlightenment Philosophers Rousseau Montesquieu
Thomas Hobbes English philosopher; author of the Leviathan People are naturally greedy and selfish Absolute monarchs were needed to create a peaceful society People gave up freedom to the monarch in return for order in society
John Locke English philosopher; Two Treatises on Government Believed all men were born with certain natural rights Life, liberty, and property People form governments to protect those rights Government can be overthrown if those rights are not protected
Rousseau French philosopher; wrote The Social Contract Believed people were naturally good but became corrupted by evils of society Unequal distribution of property Scarcity of resources Thought all people were equal Titles of nobility should be abolished
Rousseau The social contract was an agreement between free individuals to create a society, make laws and a government People gave up certain freedoms/self interests to this government for the common good
Rousseau Government should be based on the will of the people “The general will” democracy Citizens and rulers must follow the will of the people Majority should always work for the common good
Baron de Montesquieu French philosopher; On the Spirit of Laws wrote that powers of government should be separated between 3 branches Legislative Judicial Executive Checks and balances prevent tyranny and abuse of power
Voltaire French philosopher who wrote about the importance of freedom of speech, religious freedom, and tolerance Criticized the French government and the Catholic Church
Closure Identify the author of the book The Social Contract. According to Rousseau, what were all citizens obligated to follow? According to Montesquieu, what was the best way to prevent tyranny and abuse of power in government?