The Enlightenment: A Revolution in Thought 1. Natural Laws 2. Hobbes 3. Rousseau 4. Locke 5. Montesquieu

The Enlightenment The Enlightenment was a revolution in philosophy/thinking that occurred during the 17th and 18th Centuries in Europe. If the world of science was governed by scientific laws, then the behavior of people must also be governed by certain laws, which become known as Natural Laws.

Natural Laws Laws governing human nature and behavior. The most basic “natural law” was the fundamental nature of people. Were people fundamentally good or bad?

Thomas Hobbes 17th-Century English philosopher wrote Leviathan, in which he asserted that the life in the “state of nature” (absence of government and laws) would be “a war of each against all” believed people are basically bad and must be made to be good strong governments necessary to keep people in line absolutism ideal

Jean-Jacques Rousseau 18th-Century French philosopher wrote The Social Contract (1762) believed people were fundamentally good the “general will” of the people should govern society believed in more democratic government individuals must willingly subordinate their own interests to the good of society as a whole

John Locke 17th-Century English philosopher Two Treatises of Government: 1. All people have natural rights. 2. Governments exist to protect people’s natural rights. 3. People have the right to revolt and change the government if it fails to protect their natural rights.

Baron de Montesquieu 18th-Century French philosopher advocated “separation of powers” –divide government into separate “branches” (parts) to prevent any one person or any one group from gaining too much power –These separate branches can “check” one another’s power and prevent tyranny.

New Economic Thinking Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations –Supported laissez faire –“free market” should regulate business and the economy, rather than the government