The Age of Enlightenment The Philosophers Political Scientists and Their Ideas On Government

The Enlightenment Foundations Main Scientist who Influenced political thought: Sir Isaac Newton Basic Beliefs: 1. Use the Scientific Method to discover the “Laws of Human Nature” in order to create a harmonious and orderly society… 2. Educate people in the use of “logic & reason” so that they can participate in a representative government… 3. Each person is capable of reason & can realize their ambition. 4. Society can improve and progress.

Scientists’ Influence on Politics Concepts about: Scientific View Enlightenment’s Political Views Logic/Reason isThink Logically to discover “truth” Eliminates intolerance & prejudice NatureNatural Laws are discovered through logic Nature is GOOD. Natural Laws of politics & economics exist. HappinessFollowing nature’s laws will bring well-being ProgressThrough scientific discovery Through “logical” solutions to society’s problems, LibertyLogic is liberating

Thomas Hobbes: The Physiocrat

Country: England Writing: The Leviathan When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant monster”. Best Government is Absolute Monarchy because… Man’s Nature is to be selfish, cruel, and violent… THEREFORE, a “Social Contract” is necessary to keep order. INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies & dictatorships

John Locke Country: England Writings: The Origins of Government and Second Treatise on Government…. Views on Human Nature: The “blank slate of the mind” makes everyone equal at birth (tabula rusa) Man acquires knowledge through observation using the five senses (empiricism)

Locke (cont.) Views on Government: Natural Rights of Life, Liberty,& Property exist “Social Contract” is an agreement between the rulers and the ruled. People lend their power to a government whose power is limited by the “Consent of the governed” THEREFORE, if the government does not protect the peoples’ natural rights, then the people can take back their power. Influenced: France, England, the American colonies

Baron D’ Montesquieu Real name: Charles d’ Secondat Country: France Writings: The Spirit of the Laws Considered the “Founder of Political Science.” Views on Government: In a “Rational Society” the ruled must be protected from absolute monarchs’ power. There are layers of government which need to have their powers separated: Law-making from Ruling from Interpreting the Law Power must be “checked and balanced” so that no one group has too much power. “Separation of Powers” INFLUENCED: American Colonies, any democratic gov’t

Voltaire Real Name: Francois Marie Arouét Country : France Writings: Candide (a satire) Views on Religion & Intolerance Deist: Deism believed in a “Supreme Being”; did not believe in “organized religion” Supreme Being was like a Clockmaker Universe was “logical” in its composition

Voltaire (cont.) Supreme Being has no personal relationship with humanity. Humans make their own choices and decide their own destiny. Organized Religions are the source of intolerance. Advocated for Freedom of Religion and Speech “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it…” INFLUENCED the U.S. Bill of Rights and future democratic governments.

Jean Jacques Rousseau Country: Switzerland Writings: Discourses on Arts & Sciences… and The Social Contract Views on Human Nature: Man is best in the “State of Nature” as a Noble Savage Civilization corrupts man, but man is a social animal he needs to live in communities.

Rousseau (cont.) Views on Community (a homogeneous group with the same values) Social contract is determined by the “General Will” of the community. The community runs by majority (the many) but… The community respects the rights of the minority (the few) INFLUENCED democratic gov’ts, constitutions, and our Bill of Rights

Denis Diderot Country: France Writings: The Encyclopedia Reason for his life’s work: Record all learning and ideas of his time without bias. Explain knowledge clearly, precisely in order to eliminate ignorance and intolerance. Illustrate each entry about nature, society, & inventions INFLUENCED: People’s access to knowledge became a threat to traditional authorities, like Church and monarchies.

Cesare Beccaria Country: Italy Book: On Crimes and Punishment (1764) Ideas: Against torture, unjust trials, cruel & unusual punishment, punishment should fit the crime and NO Capital Punishment; Greatest Good for the Greatest Number of People Influenced: criminal law reformers in Europe and North America

Mary Wollstonecraft

Country: England Book: Vindication of the Rights of Women Ideas: Women like men needed education to become virtuous & useful. They should enter male-dominated careers, like medicine and politics. Influences: Women’s rights groups in Europe and North America