1. Philosophy in the Age of Reason
Chapter 2 Section 1
Philosophy in the Age of Reason

2. Scientific Revolution to Enlightenment
Scientific Revolution (1500s – 1600s)
Copernicus, Galileo, Newton
People began to think man’s reason can solve/discover anything
Enlightenment (1700s)
Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire
Begin applying reason to social issues

3. Thomas Hobbes Need of a powerful central government Wrote Leviathan
People are naturally cruel, greedy, selfish
Life in “state of nature” would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
People enter “social contract” where they agree to give up freedoms for organized society
Only powerful government can maintain orderly society
Absolute Monarchy is ideal

4. John Locke People are basically reasonable and moral
People have natural rights: life, liberty, property
People form governments to protect these rights
Best government limits power and is accepted by all citizens
People have the right to overthrow government that violates their natural rights

5. Pg. 55 Standards Check
How did Hobbes and Locke differ in their views on the role of government?

6. Philosophes
French philosophers who apply reason to government, law, and society

7. Montesquieu
The Spirit of the Laws discusses governments throughout history
Thought government should divide power into 3 branches:
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

8. Voltaire Poet, historian, essayist, and philosopher
Criticized government and aristocrats: inequality, slave trade, religious prejudice, superstition
Imprisoned, exiled, books outlawed and burned

9. Diderot The Encyclopedia
28 volumes covering mostly government, philosophy, and religion
Urged education for all and attacked slavery, censorship, “divine-right” theory, and traditional religions
Banned in France, Pope threatens excommunication to those who read

10. Rousseau
People naturally good—society corrupts, especially the unequal distribution of property
Wrote The Social Contract
Minimal controls on behavior
Only freely elected government can impose control (people of their own will enter into a “social contract”)

11. Mary Wollstonecraft Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Called for equal education of boys and girls
Only education could give women tools needed to participate equally with men in public life

12. Physiocrats Focused on “natural laws of economics”
Rejected Mercantalism (government regulation of economy to achieve favorable “balance of trade”)
Urged laissez faire (let do): minimal government intervention in trade/business

13. Adam Smith Wrote The Wealth of Nations
Free market should regulate business activity
Supply and Demand