Philosophy in the Age of Reason Chapter 17, section 1

Scientific Revolution Sparks the Enlightenment Science convinced educated Europeans of the power of human reason Science convinced educated Europeans of the power of human reason Natural Law (rules that can be discovered by reason) was seen as a way to understand social, economic and political problems Natural Law (rules that can be discovered by reason) was seen as a way to understand social, economic and political problems This led to a new way of thinking called the Enlightenment This led to a new way of thinking called the Enlightenment

Philosophers: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke Hobbes People are naturally cruel, greedy, selfish People are naturally cruel, greedy, selfish If not controlled, they would rob, fight, and oppress each other If not controlled, they would rob, fight, and oppress each other To escape this, people join a “social contract” giving up freedoms for an organized society To escape this, people join a “social contract” giving up freedoms for an organized society Only a powerful government can keep society ordered Only a powerful government can keep society ordered Absolute monarchy is the best because it asks for total obedience Absolute monarchy is the best because it asks for total obedience Locke People are basically reasonable and moral People are basically reasonable and moral They have natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property They have natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property The best kind of government has limited power and is accepted by all citizens The best kind of government has limited power and is accepted by all citizens Government has an obligation to its people, and if it does not protect natural rights, the people have the right to overthrow it (NEW IDEA!) Government has an obligation to its people, and if it does not protect natural rights, the people have the right to overthrow it (NEW IDEA!)

“Philosophes” Came to be known as Philosophers Came to be known as Philosophers Montesquieu criticized absolute monarchy, and felt that dividing government into 3 branches that check and balance each other would best protect liberty Montesquieu criticized absolute monarchy, and felt that dividing government into 3 branches that check and balance each other would best protect liberty Voltaire pointed out corruption in French government and Catholic Church. Battled inequality, spoke out against slave trade and religious prejudice Voltaire pointed out corruption in French government and Catholic Church. Battled inequality, spoke out against slave trade and religious prejudice Diderot believed everyone should have access to information, and compiled the first Encyclopedia Diderot believed everyone should have access to information, and compiled the first Encyclopedia 4,000 printed, translated, and spread across Europe and Americas 4,000 printed, translated, and spread across Europe and Americas

The Social Contract Jean-Jacques Rousseau thought we are naturally good, but can be corrupted by evils in society, especially the unequal distribution of wealth Jean-Jacques Rousseau thought we are naturally good, but can be corrupted by evils in society, especially the unequal distribution of wealth Put his faith in the best of people, believing all people could create good Put his faith in the best of people, believing all people could create good Influenced Thomas Paine, who wrote “Common Sense” (the literature of the American Revolution) Influenced Thomas Paine, who wrote “Common Sense” (the literature of the American Revolution)

Women Challenge Philosophes “Free and equal” did not apply to women, who were still expected to stay at home “Free and equal” did not apply to women, who were still expected to stay at home A small but growing number of women in the late 1700s protested this A small but growing number of women in the late 1700s protested this Mary Wollstonecraft (Mary Shelley’s mother) accepted that women should be good mothers, but should also make decisions on their own Mary Wollstonecraft (Mary Shelley’s mother) accepted that women should be good mothers, but should also make decisions on their own She wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women,” calling for equal education, believing it to be the only way women could equally participate in society She wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women,” calling for equal education, believing it to be the only way women could equally participate in society

New Economic Thinking Some philosophers focused on natural laws within the economy Some philosophers focused on natural laws within the economy Laissez Faire policy became popular Laissez Faire policy became popular Allow businesses to operate with little to no interference Allow businesses to operate with little to no interference Free trade, no tariffs Free trade, no tariffs Adam Smith, a Scottish economist, argued in “The Wealth of Nations” that the free market should regulate business activity Adam Smith, a Scottish economist, argued in “The Wealth of Nations” that the free market should regulate business activity Manufacturing, trade, wages, profits and economic growth all are linked to supply and demand Manufacturing, trade, wages, profits and economic growth all are linked to supply and demand When there is a demand for a good suppliers will meet it When there is a demand for a good suppliers will meet it Supported Laissez Faire, but also thought government had a duty to protect society, administer justice and provide public works Supported Laissez Faire, but also thought government had a duty to protect society, administer justice and provide public works