1. The Enlightenment

2. What was it?
Enlightenment 18th century philosophical movement used scientific method--explain and improve society.
noun: scientific method; plural noun: scientific methods
a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses
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3. Scientific Method
Inductive reasoning: from the particular insight to the general and overarching truth.
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4. The Intellectuals and the Enlightenment
Intellectuals of movement: Philosophes.
Not all French.
Philosophes: social critics, publicists, political scientists, economists, and social reformers.
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5. Concerns of the Philosophes
Attacked laws, institutions, and practices.
Attacked: Everything unreasonable or unnatural.
The Philosophes: people can make the changes for a better life
They say-future is bright.
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6. The Role of Reason
Enlightenment: Reason to cure mankind of past injustices.
Reason allow man to find- the Natural Laws (these govern society).
With these discovered then progress guaranteeing human betterment.
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7. Thomas Hobbes

8. Said life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”.
The natural condition of humans is one of continuous conflict and competition
Believed in the social contract people give up individual liberties in return for social order
Believed anarchy to be a state of nature.
Supporter of absolute monarchy
Wrote Leviathan (1651)
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9. Following Laws = less rights, but more safety! #countmein!

10. John Locke

11. Believed in individual rights
People would not and could not willingly surrender their fundamental natural rights.
Believed in individual rights
– Life
– Liberty
– Property
Government existed to protect those rights, & if they didn’t, it should be overthrown.
Rebellion is the right of the people because people have the gift of reason
Supporter of Democracy
Wrote Two Treatises on Government
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13. Baron de Montesquieu

14. Saw humans life as a comedy and satire.
His idea of checks and balances would influence the U.S. Constitution
Division of power into 3 branches
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Climate and Circumstances determine the form of governments
Published The Spirit of the Laws (1748)
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16. Voltaire
(Francois Marie Arouet)

17. Strong supporter of Freedom of Speech, Thought, & Religion
Humans are liars, traitors, ingrates, thieves, misers, killers, fanatics, hypocrites, fools and so on. Yet, it’s normal.
Strong supporter of Freedom of Speech, Thought, & Religion
Believed Gov’ts should ensure personal freedoms
Satirist who wrote about the French Monarchy, the nobility, and the church
Wrote Candide & Philosophical Letters
Hated the Church, injustice, and prejudice
Imprisoned twice in France for his views
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19. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

20. Opposed strong government.
Argued people are naturally good, but society corrupts them through environment, education and laws.
Believed in Popular Sovereignty (sovereign power is vested in the people)
Opposed strong government.
Government created and controlled by the people.
Did not trust reason, believing that it brought corruption and misery.
Published The Social Contract (1762)
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22. Adam Smith

23. Believed in Self interest, Competition, and Everyone is selfish
Government should allow economic liberty, laissez-faire.
Shouldn’t control economy
Free trade, Market economy, Supply and demand
Wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776)
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25. Mary Wollstonecraft

26. Early spokesperson for Women’s Rights
Argued the ideals of equality should be extended to women as well as men.
Governments should extend political rights to women as well
Women should also enjoy educational freedoms as well
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)
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28. Identify who said it and what it means!
“Power should be in check of Power.”
Montesquieu

29. Identify who said it and what it means!
“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.
Rousseau

30. Identify who said it and what it means!
“Let women share the rights and she will emulate the virtues of men.”
Mary W.

31. Identify who said it and what it means!
“The action of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
Locke

32. Identify who said it and what it means!
“No complaint ... is more common than that of a scarcity of money.”
Smith

33. Identify who said it and what it means!
“The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.”
Hobbes

34. Identify who said it and what it means!
“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”
Voltaire

35. Some other Quotes from Voltaire
“Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal.”

36. Some other Quotes from Voltaire
“I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: "O Lord make my enemies ridiculous." And God granted it.”

37. Some other Quotes from Voltaire
“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

38. Some other Quotes from Voltaire
“History is only the register of crimes and misfortunes.”

39. Some other Quotes from Voltaire
“Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.”