The Age of Enlightenment
Origins of the Enlightenment Science Newton’s Principia Newton’s Principia If the universe could be explained by math, then how about: If the universe could be explained by math, then how about: Human Behavior? Human Behavior? Politics? Politics? Religion? Religion?
Origins of the Enlightenment Religion Deism – God is distant and uninvolved Deism – God is distant and uninvolved Pantheism – God and nature are the same Pantheism – God and nature are the same God’s works will be revealed through science, not scripture God’s works will be revealed through science, not scripture
Characteristics of The Enlightenment Rationalism – reason in all things Rationalism – reason in all things Secularism – science in religion Secularism – science in religion Utilitarianism – greatest good for the greatest number Utilitarianism – greatest good for the greatest number Tolerance (As long as you are a white man) Tolerance (As long as you are a white man) Optimism – man is good Optimism – man is good Freedom – end of absolutism Freedom – end of absolutism Constitutionalism – written rights Constitutionalism – written rights
Thomas Hobbes & John Locke Hobbes Poor Poor English English Oxford Oxford Well Traveled Well Traveled Man is evil Man is evilLocke Rich Rich English English Oxford Oxford Well Traveled Well Traveled Man is good Man is good
Social Contract The agreements by which people form nations and maintain a social order The agreements by which people form nations and maintain a social order People agree to give up some rights to the government to receive social order People agree to give up some rights to the government to receive social order
Thomas Hobbes “From the equality of ability arises the equality of hope in the attaining of our ends…if any two men desire the same thing…they become enemies.”
Thomas Hobbes “From the equality of ability arises the equality of hope in the attaining of our ends…if any two men desire the same thing…they become enemies.”
Hobbes Without law we’d live like animals Without law we’d live like animals Without government we’d live in a state of nature Without government we’d live in a state of nature So… So… Only a powerful government (absolute monarch) could ensure an orderly society Only a powerful government (absolute monarch) could ensure an orderly society
John Locke “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it which obliges every one… No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty and possessions…”
John Locke “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it which obliges every one… No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty and possessions…”
Locke Rights A claim to have or obtain something A claim to have or obtain something Natural Rights Life – freedom from threats Life – freedom from threats Liberty – freedom from domination Liberty – freedom from domination Property – freedom for economic gain Property – freedom for economic gain
Locke Government Cannot exist without the consent of the governed Cannot exist without the consent of the governed Should have limited power Should have limited power The people can overthrow a government if: The people can overthrow a government if: The people anticipate it will soon fail The people anticipate it will soon fail It violates people’s natural rights It violates people’s natural rights