1. The Enlightenment
What do you think the word Enlightenment means? Look at the root of the word: Enlightenment
What does it mean to shed light on an idea?
What does it mean to enlighten someone?

2. The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a European movement when thinkers attempted to apply reason to all parts of society.
New Ideas about The Right to Govern
“A government’s power comes from the consent of the governed.”
New Ideas about the Relationship between Ruler and State
“The monarch exists to serve the state and support the welfare of citizens.”

3. What did philosophers of the Enlightenment believe in?
Reason: Truth can be discovered through reason or logical thinking.
Nature: Nature is logical.
Happiness: Happiness can be found on earth, not only in heaven.
Progress: Society and humans can improve.
Liberty: People should be free.

4. Important Individuals
Thomas Hobbes
Humans are naturally selfish and wicked
An absolute ruler is necessary to control the state and keep order
Social Contract Theory: People give up their rights to a ruler so that the ruler can keep control

5. Important Individuals
John Locke
Humans can learn & improve. Humans are reasonable and have the ability to govern themselves.
Natural Rights Theory: Humans have the right to life, liberty, and property.
The job of government is to protect those rights. If it fails to do so, the people should overthrow it.

6. Important Individuals
Voltaire
French writer
Criticized the clergy, wealthy classes, and government in his writing
Supported tolerance, reason, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech

7. Important Individuals
Montesquieu
French writer
Believed that the powers of government should be separated into different branches
This would keep one individual or group from gaining too much power (checks and balances)

8. Important Individuals
Rousseau
French writer
Humans are naturally good, but are corrupted by civilization. All people are equal.
Government should be guided by the wishes of society (direct democracy).
People give control to the government in exchange for a common good.

9. Review: Who’s Who? Hobbes Locke Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau
Humans are naturally selfish and wicked
Believed that the powers of government should be separated into different branches
Criticized the clergy, wealthy classes, and government in his writing
Supported tolerance, reason, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech
Natural Rights Theory: Humans have the right to life, liberty, and property.
An absolute ruler is necessary to control the state and keep order
Humans are naturally good, but are corrupted by civilization.
Montesquieu
Voltaire
Voltaire
Locke
Hobbes
Rousseau

10. Review: Who’s Who? Hobbes Locke Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau
Social Contract Theory: People give up their rights to a ruler so that the ruler can keep control
Humans can learn & improve. Humans are reasonable and have the ability to govern themselves.
Separate government branches would keep one individual or group from gaining too much power (checks and balances)
The job of government is to protect the peoples’ rights. If it fails to do so, the people should overthrow it.
Government should be guided by the wishes of society (direct democracy).
People give control to the government in exchange for a common good.
Hobbes
Locke
Montesquieu
Locke
Rousseau
Rousseau

11. Enlightenment Writing Prompt Hobbes Locke Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau
Who has the best ideas about human nature and how to govern people?
Choose the two philosophers you MOST agree with and briefly explain what you find appealing about each one’s ideas.
Describe how each philosopher’s ideas impact people today. (In other words, why should we care about what they had to say?)