Enlightenment Chapter 17 Section 2

Age of Reason The influence of the Scientific Revolution soon spread beyond the world of science. The influence of the Scientific Revolution soon spread beyond the world of science. Philosophers- group of thinkers that believed the scientific revolution could be used to study all problems (political, economic, and philosophical) Philosophers- group of thinkers that believed the scientific revolution could be used to study all problems (political, economic, and philosophical) The rise of higher thinking became known as the period of “The Enlightenment” The rise of higher thinking became known as the period of “The Enlightenment”

Enlightenment Thinkers Hobbes Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau Wollstonecraft Locke

Hobbes’ Social Contract Thomas Hobbes experienced the political turmoil of the English Civil War. Thomas Hobbes experienced the political turmoil of the English Civil War. He said without governments to keep order, there would be “war of every man against every man.” He said without governments to keep order, there would be “war of every man against every man.” He believed in the Social Contract - people gave up their rights to a strong ruler, in exchange they gained law and order and created government. He believed in the Social Contract - people gave up their rights to a strong ruler, in exchange they gained law and order and created government.

Locke’s Natural Rights John Locke held a different, more positive, view of human nature. John Locke held a different, more positive, view of human nature. He believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. He believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. As reasonable beings, they had the natural ability to govern their own affairs and look after the welfare of society (Self government) As reasonable beings, they had the natural ability to govern their own affairs and look after the welfare of society (Self government) According to Locke, all people are born free and equal with three natural rights - life, liberty and property. According to Locke, all people are born free and equal with three natural rights - life, liberty and property. –Purpose of government was to protect these rights. –If gov’t fails to do so, then citizens have a right to overthrow it.

Locke’s theory had a deep influence on modern political thinking. Locke’s theory had a deep influence on modern political thinking. His big idea that a government’s power comes from the consent of the people is the foundation of modern democracy. His big idea that a government’s power comes from the consent of the people is the foundation of modern democracy. –Helps inspire struggles for liberty in Europe and the Americas.

Voltaire Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, history, fiction and drama. Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, history, fiction and drama. Used the pen or his writings to attack the clergy, aristocracy and the government. Used the pen or his writings to attack the clergy, aristocracy and the government. Fought for freedom of thought and expression and religious freedom Fought for freedom of thought and expression and religious freedom

Montesquieu Argued that government should be divided among a legislative, executive and judicial branch of government. Argued that government should be divided among a legislative, executive and judicial branch of government. “Separation of Power” “Separation of Power” Each branch would serve as a check on the other two. Each branch would serve as a check on the other two. Prevent any individual or group from gaining total control of the gov’t. Prevent any individual or group from gaining total control of the gov’t. His ideas became the basis for the U.S. Constitution. His ideas became the basis for the U.S. Constitution.

Rousseau Believed that the only good gov’t was one that was freely formed by the people and guided by the “general will” of society. Believed that the only good gov’t was one that was freely formed by the people and guided by the “general will” of society. Different from Hobbes’ Social Contract, in that, it was an agreement among free individuals to create a society and a government. Different from Hobbes’ Social Contract, in that, it was an agreement among free individuals to create a society and a government. Like Locke, he believed Government derives authority from the consent of its people. Like Locke, he believed Government derives authority from the consent of its people.

Women and the Enlightenment Philosophers challenged many assumptions about gov’t but often kept a traditional view toward women. Philosophers challenged many assumptions about gov’t but often kept a traditional view toward women. –Education should be geared towards preparing women to be a good wife and mother. –Some Male social critics scolded women for reading novels in fear that it encouraged idleness and wickedness. Some male writers argued for improvement in women’s education and equality. Some male writers argued for improvement in women’s education and equality.

Mary Wollstonecraft One of the most persuasive women in the Enlightenment time period. One of the most persuasive women in the Enlightenment time period. Wollstonecraft Published an essay called The Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Wollstonecraft Published an essay called The Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Argued: Argued: –For Women’s Equality Women like men need education to become virtuous and useful. Women like men need education to become virtuous and useful. Women should enter the male-dominated fields of medicine and politics. Women should enter the male-dominated fields of medicine and politics.

Impact of the Enlightenment People have confidence that human reason can solve social problems. People have confidence that human reason can solve social problems. A more secular outlook emerges as scientific thinking replaces superstition, fear and intolerance. A more secular outlook emerges as scientific thinking replaces superstition, fear and intolerance. The rise of individualism - people began to to turn away from the church for guidance and looked to themselves instead. The rise of individualism - people began to to turn away from the church for guidance and looked to themselves instead.