1. Age of Revolutions

2. First things, first… Let’s define revolution.
HINT: think about planetary movements and the possible root word.

3. AGE OF REVOLUTIONS

4. How would you react to a revolutionary idea?
You are a university student during the late 1600s, and it seems that the world as you know it has turned upside down. An English scientist name Isaac Newton has just theorized that the universe is not a dark mystery but a system whose parts work together in ways that can be expressed mathematically. This is just the latest in a series of arguments that have challenged old ways of thinking in fields from astronomy to medicine. Many of these ideas promise to open the way for improving society. And yet they are such radical ideas that many people refuse to accept them.

5. Painting by Joseph Wright that shows adults and children looking at a miniature planetarium and its new ideas about the universe.

6. In your groups, discuss:
Why might people have difficulty accepting new ideas or ways of thinking?
What are the risks of embracing a different idea? What are some risks of always refusing to do so?
What are some modern examples of revolutionary ideas?

7. Title for Notes: The Enlightenment

8. The Enlightenment
DEFINITION: Also known as the Age of Reason, this was an 18th century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society.
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9. Origins of the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment started from some key ideas put forth by two English political thinkers of the 1600s, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
Both men experienced the political turmoil in England at the beginning of the 17th century, but they came to two very different conclusions about government and human nature

11. Thomas Hobbes’ Philosophy
Humans are naturally violent and disorderly
Anarchy would prevail without a strong government
Absolute monarchy works well
People have no right to rebel no matter how unhappy they are with their government
Wrote Leviathan
Social contract
Ruler needed total power to keep citizens under control

12. John Locke’s Philosophy
People are naturally moral and reasonable
Favored the ideas of self government
People could govern their own affairs
People are born free and equal
Born with three natural rights: life, liberty and property
People have the right to overthrow their government if it is not protecting their rights
Wrote Two Treatises of Government

13. Enlightenment Philosophers
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
People are naturally bad - violent and disorderly
People are naturally good – moral and reasonable
Need a strong government to keep them in line
Self government
People have no right to rebel
People can overthrow government
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Born free and equal with natural rights (life, liberty and property)
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14. What do you think?
Based on your personal experiences, things you’ve seen throughout your life, school, etc., who do you support , Thomas Hobbes or John Locke?