Enlightenment Philosophers Who were the thinkers of the time period &what were their basic beliefs?

Natural Laws: laws that govern human nature Progress and Reason Natural Laws: laws that govern human nature

Thomas Hobbes People are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish Humans must be strictly controlled Life in the "state of nature" was cruel and unkind Individuals enter a social contract- give up the state of nature in order to form a more organized society A powerful government is necessary in order to impose order Absolute monarchy

John Locke Separation of Church and State People are born as "blank slates" People are basically good- reasonable and moral Natural Rights (life, liberty, property) Government should protect Gov should have limited power, with the approval of all citizens Right to Revolution

-An Essay Concerning Human Understanding "Our observation, employed either about external sensible objects, or about the internal operations of our minds, perceived and reflected on by ourselves, is that which supplies our understandings with all the materials of thinking. These are the fountains of knowledge, from whence all ideas we have, or can naturally have, do spring" -An Essay Concerning Human Understanding John Locke 1690

Montesquieu Separation of Powers Government power must be divided in order to protect liberty Punishments must fit the nature of the crime

Voltaire Goal: to target abuse and corruption within government society Against the slave trade and religious intolerance Against torture and the death penalty

Rousseau Grew up poor=uncomfortable with luxury People in their natural state are inherently good Evils of society (unequal distribution of wealth) creates corruption Society creates too many limitations on individuals Minimal controls should be used over individuals Governments should be freely elected and represent the general will over individual interests Women are subordinate to men