Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self- imposed nonage. Nonage is the inability to use one's own understanding without another's guidance. This nonage is self-imposed if it cause lies not in lack of understanding but in indecision and lack of courage to use one's own mind without another's guidance. “Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own understanding," is therefore the motto of the enlightenment. – Immanuel Kant

The Enlightenment A change in outlook among many educated Europeans that began during the 1600s. Stemmed from Scientific Revolution – where reason was used to find laws that governed physical world. Why not use reason to discover natural laws? (laws that governed human nature) This new outlook put great emphasis in reason as the key to human progress.

Enlightenment Thinkers Stressed reason over authority and questioned the basis of religion, morality and government. Thomas Hobbes John Locke Baron do Montesquieu Voltaire Jean-Jacques Rousseau Mary Wollstonecraft

Thomas Hobbes People are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish. If not controlled, they would oppress one another. Life in a state of nature – without laws or control – would be nasty, brutish and short. The people must enter into a social contract, an agreement giving up life in a state of nature, to live in an organized society ruled by a powerful government.

John Locke people are basically reasonable and moral. People have natural rights, rights that belong to them from birth. The people form governments to protect their natural rights. The government has a duty to protect the people it governs. If the government fails to protect or violates the natural rights of the people, the people have the right to alter or abolish that government.

Baron de Montesquieu Concerned with how to protect political liberty. Divide power among three branches of government. (Executive, legislative, judicial) Separation of powers, where branches would be separate, but equal so no branch would become too powerful.

Voltaire Defended tolerance and freedom of speech and thought. Religious tolerance – allowing people to express religion in their own way. “I do not agree with a word that you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau People in their natural state are basically good. This innocence is corrupted by evils of society, especially the unequal distribution of property. Believed in the general will, the best conscience of the people. People should act as a community and place the needs of all above individual interest.

Mary Wollstonecraft A woman should be able to decide what is in her own interest, instead of depending on her husband. Believed in equal education for girls and boys. Only education can give women the power and tools they need to participate equally with men in society.

Quick activity… Which philosopher do you agree with the most? Explain. Which philosopher do you agree with the least? Explain.

Whooooo Thought It?!

Who thought that…. only education could give women the tools they needed to participate equally with men in public life. Mary Wollstonecraft

Who thought that… the good of the community as a whole, he said, should be placed above individual interests. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Who thought that… the people must enter into a social contract, an agreement giving up life in a state of nature, to live in an organized society ruled by a powerful government. Thomas Hobbes

Who thought that… there should be separation of powers, where branches would be separate, but equal so no branch would become too powerful. Baron de Montesquieu

Who thought that… people have certain natural rights that they are born with. Rights such as life, liberty, and property. John Locke

Who… defended tolerance and freedom of speech and thought. Voltaire

Let’s continue our musical connection! I’ll play a song and you say which philosopher’s idea you think the song represents.

Homework Find 3-5 songs that you feel represent ideas of philosophers from the Enlightenment. You may find songs that fit the same philosopher, or you may find songs that fit different philosophers. Write down each song title and the artist, and give a brief explanation as to why it represents the philosopher’s idea. This is due tomorrow at the beginning of the period.