The Enlightenment: The Age of Reason

DFA What are some general differences in the way Enlightenment thinkers saw the world?

Background to the Enlightenment The Scientific Revolution had changed the way people looked at the world, showing the power of human reason If natural laws, or rules discovered by reason, could explain scientific laws, why couldn’t it also apply to government, religion, and the economy? Philosophes used natural law to obtain political reform Physiocrats used natural law to obtain economic reform

What was different about Enlightenment thinkers? Generally Against Monarchy Divine Right Religion Superstition Intolerance Censorship Slavery Mercantilism and Feudalism Generally For: Democracy Natural Rights Reason Science Tolerance Free Speech Freedom/Equality Free Markets (Capitalism)

John Locke Believed in Natural Rights, or rights given to humans at birth (life, liberty, property) Gov’t must protect natural rights of citizens, or risk being overthrown Thus, the Government works for the People What do you think?

Thomas Hobbes People are naturally cruel and must be controlled Only powerful gov’t could control society Opposite of Locke What do you think?

Montesquieu Criticized Absolute Monarchy Influenced the U.S. Constitution because he believed in: Separation of Powers Checks and Balances

Voltaire Battled… Inequality Slavery Superstition Religion Intolerance Censorship Religion and Monarchy are enemies of the Enlightenment Used satire

Voltaire Sayings: “God is always on the side of the big battalions.”God is always on the side of the big battalions. “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it. “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong. “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.

Diderot Compiled articles from “Freethinkers” in his Encyclopedia Denounced: slavery divine right religious traditions Fought for: Freedom of Expression Universal Education

Rousseau Believed a government may only exist if it is freely elected (Democracy) Unequal distribution of property bred evil Spoke against political and economic oppression

Mary Wollstonecraft Woman’s first priority = motherhood However, a woman can decide her best interest w/o husband Fought for equal education for males and females alike

Wollstonecraft quotes… “Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.” “The divine right of husbands, like the divine right of kings, may, it is hoped, in this enlightened age, be contested without danger.” “Women ought to have representatives, instead of being arbitrarily governed without any direct share allowed them in the deliberations of government.”

Adam Smith Physiocrat – economic reform Wrote Wealth of Nations Argued that a free, unregulated market, laissez faire, would keep prices under control Supply & Demand – profit motivated producers to meet society’s demands Supply & Demand Gov’t should only exist to: Establish Justice Provide public services National Security

Thomas Paine Pro-Democracy All men born w/ equal rights - abolitionist Against religion, but still open to existence of a god Supported taxes for equality Inspired revolutions in USA and France

Review Connect Scientific Revolution with the Enlightenment. Explain generalizations about Enlightenment thought Differences b/w Locke and Hobbes In what ways did Enlightenment thinkers inspire revolution How was our government and economic structure inspired off the Enlightenment thinkers?