Age of Revolutions

First things, first… Let’s define revolution. HINT: think about planetary movements and the possible root word.

AGE OF REVOLUTIONS

How would you react to a revolutionary idea? You are a university student during the late 1600s, and it seems that the world as you know it has turned upside down. An English scientist name Isaac Newton has just theorized that the universe is not a dark mystery but a system whose parts work together in ways that can be expressed mathematically. This is just the latest in a series of arguments that have challenged old ways of thinking in fields from astronomy to medicine. Many of these ideas promise to open the way for improving society. And yet they are such radical ideas that many people refuse to accept them.

Painting by Joseph Wright that shows adults and children looking at a miniature planetarium and its new ideas about the universe.

In your groups, discuss: Why might people have difficulty accepting new ideas or ways of thinking? What are the risks of embracing a different idea? What are some risks of always refusing to do so? What are some modern examples of revolutionary ideas?

Title for Notes: The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment DEFINITION: Also known as the Age of Reason, this was an 18th century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society. WRITE THIS SLIDE

Origins of the Enlightenment The Enlightenment started from some key ideas put forth by two English political thinkers of the 1600s, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke Both men experienced the political turmoil in England at the beginning of the 17th century, but they came to two very different conclusions about government and human nature

Thomas Hobbes’ Philosophy Humans are naturally violent and disorderly Anarchy would prevail without a strong government Absolute monarchy works well People have no right to rebel no matter how unhappy they are with their government Wrote Leviathan Social contract Ruler needed total power to keep citizens under control

John Locke’s Philosophy People are naturally moral and reasonable Favored the ideas of self government People could govern their own affairs People are born free and equal Born with three natural rights: life, liberty and property People have the right to overthrow their government if it is not protecting their rights Wrote Two Treatises of Government

Enlightenment Philosophers Thomas Hobbes John Locke People are naturally bad - violent and disorderly People are naturally good – moral and reasonable Need a strong government to keep them in line Self government People have no right to rebel People can overthrow government WRITE THIS SLIDE Born free and equal with natural rights (life, liberty and property) WRITE THIS SLIDE

What do you think? Based on your personal experiences, things you’ve seen throughout your life, school, etc., who do you support , Thomas Hobbes or John Locke?