6.2 The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment Enlightenment = time period stressing reason, thought, and individual’s ability to solve problems Height during mid-1700s Comes after Scientific Revolution New ideas on government, education, religion, & economics

Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes – influenced by English Civil War Humans are selfish & wicked People would constantly be in war against each other without government SOCIAL CONTRACT People hand over rights to strong ruler Government gives law and order Perfect government = absolute monarch who rules justly

John Locke John Locke believes people can learn from experience & improve Humans have natural ability to govern themselves & do what’s best for society NATURAL RIGHTS OF MAN – people born with Life, liberty, property Government must protect these rights If gvt. can’t, citizens have right to overthrow Gvt. gets power from the people

Enlightenment ideas Reason Nature Happiness Progress Liberty Truth can be discovered using logic Nature What is natural is good and reasonable Happiness It is OK to be happy while on Earth Progress Humans can improve themselves Liberty People have rights

Important People of the Era Voltaire Uses satire to express his ideas Montesquieu Supports gvt. checks and balances Rousseau Social contract between individuals Beccaria Purpose of justice system = preserve order Wollstonecraft Promotes education for women

Legacy of Enlightenment Human reason can solve social problems Increase in secularism Importance of individual increases