1. What does it mean to be ‘Enlightened’?
Is the U.S. an enlightened nation?
How have we been influenced by
‘Enlightenment’ thinking, and are we
still being influenced by these ideas?

2. The Enlightenment – a philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine.

3. What Led to ‘The Enlightenment’
The Renaissance
The Scientific
Revolution
The Reformation
Humanism
Reason &
Knowledge
Secularism
Enlightenment

4. The Enlightenment
The Age of Reason

5. The Age of Enlightenment
1700’s
Rationalism-belief that human nature could be logically explained using reason & the Scientific Method
Ideas about secularism and individualism
Enlightenment thinkers were called Philosophes

6. Thomas Hobbes The natural condition of humans is
one of continuous conflict and
competition
Said life is “solitary, poor, nasty,
brutish, and short”.
Believed in a social contract, where 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)

7. John Locke Believed in individual natural rights – Life – Liberty
– Property
People would not-and could not willingly surrender their fundamental natural rights.
Government existed to protect those rights, & if they didn’t, it should be overthrown.
Supporter of Democracy
Wrote Two Treatises on Government

8. Baron de Montesquieu
His idea of checks and balances would influence the U.S. Constitution
Saw humans life as a comedy and satire.
Division of power into 3 branches
Climate and Circumstances determine the form of governments
Published The Spirit of theLaws (1748)

9. Voltaire 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.
Believed Gov’ts should ensure personal freedoms
Satirist who wrote about the French Monarchy, the nobility, and the church
Candide & Philosophical Letters
Imprisoned twice in France for his views

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Believed in Popular Sovereignty
Argued people are naturally good, but society corrupts them through environment, education and laws.
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)

11. Denis Diderot Combine articles of leading Philosophes covering every
subject possible.
Leading philosophes of the time contributed articles on everything from criticizing aspects of society, the church, government, the slave trade, torture, taxes, and war
Created The Encyclopedia

12. Mary Wollstonecraft 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
WroteA Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

13. Adam Smith Adam Smith considered the Father of modern Economics
Wrote the Wealth Of Nations
Argues that free market should be allowed to regulate business not the government
Mercantilism is the devil
Laissez Faire
To leave alone. Let business to operate with little government intervention