The EnlightENment IES SAN JUAN BAUTISTA 4º ESO – YEAR 2017-2018 Teacher: GEMA MORATALLA

Skepticism about old authority, the power of reason, Natural Law. The EnlightENment Previous ideas: Scientific revolution in 16th and 17th centuries (with Copernincus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton). Skepticism about old authority, the power of reason, Natural Law.

Rationalism (reason as the source of knowledge). The EnlightENment Previous ideas: Rebirth of philosophy in 17th century (with Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza). Rationalism (reason as the source of knowledge). (With Locke and Hume) Empiricism (knowledge comes from sensory experience).

He inspired the French philosophers. The EnlightENment Locke analyzed and praised the English revolution and the separation of powers. He inspired the French philosophers.

Another essential philosopher: Kant The EnlightENment Another essential philosopher: Kant Critical thinking

All together gave birth to Enlightenment thinkers, whose pillars are: The EnlightENment All together gave birth to Enlightenment thinkers, whose pillars are: Reason = logical thought Deism + religious tolerance + freedom of thought Nature as a source of goodness and justice Progress to transform society / happiness as an objective

Main thinkers (they were French and lived in the 18th century): The EnlightENment Main thinkers (they were French and lived in the 18th century): Montesquieu Voltaire Rousseau Diderot and D’Alembert Their works mainly talked about: Economy – Society – Politics

The EnlightENment Economy They rejected mercantilism (the economic system based on trade – for example, the triangular trade – and the accumulation of precious metals). They believed in the importance of agriculture (nature) as the source of wealth.

Adam Smith monument (Edinburgh) The EnlightENment Economy As supporters of freedom, they opposed state regulations. That led to economic liberalism (essential: Scotish economist Adam Smith). Adam Smith monument (Edinburgh)

The EnlightENment Society They opposed feudal society arguing that no one should inherit privilege. They believed in: Equality of origin. Social mobility. Personal merit.

They firmly opposed absolutism and proposed: The EnlightENment Politics They firmly opposed absolutism and proposed: Montesquieu: separation of powers, emphasizing independence of judicial power. Rousseau: the need for a social contract between the ruler and the individuals (expressed, for example, in a constitution); national or popular sovereignity (power comes from the people). Voltaire: the need for a parliament that limits the power of monarchs.

The EnlightENment What about women? Unfortunately, most of these tolerant, liberal, righteous and good men forgot women. But women spoke!

The EnlightENment Mary Wollstonecraft She supported education for women. Believed that educated women could strengthen society and be equivalent to their husband in society. * One curious thing: her daughter was Mary Shelley, the writer of Frankenstein.

She supported women’s rights in theatre plays and other type of texts. The EnlightENment Olympe De Gouges She supported women’s rights in theatre plays and other type of texts. After the outbreak of French Revolution, she wrote the Declaration of Rights of Women.

Spread of Enlightment ideas: The EnlightENment Spread of Enlightment ideas: The Encyclopèdie (edited and compiled by Diderot and D’Alembert). Universities and scientific academies. Salons. Newspapers and books. Scientific and technological progress.

The big contradiction: Enlightened despotism. The EnlightENment The big contradiction: Enlightened despotism. Can you guess how an absolute monarch becomes an Enlightened monarch but still being absolute?

The big contradiction: Enlightened despotism. The EnlightENment The big contradiction: Enlightened despotism. The formula consists of introducing ideas about progress without giving up the absolute authority. How? Rationalizing administration, reforming education, modernizing economy, developing agriculture and industry, facilitating free trade.

Motto: <<All for the people, nothing by the people>> The EnlightENment The big contradiction: Enlightened despotism. Motto: <<All for the people, nothing by the people>>