The Enlightenment Chapter 10, Section 2

Do Now! What does “Enlightenment” mean to

you?

How would you define enlightenment?

What impact does enlightenment play in today’s society?

Path to the Enlightenment When: 18th Century What:

Philosophical movement of intellectuals Achievements of the Scientific Revolution

Common words of thinkers: Reason Natural Law Hope Progress

Map of the Enlightenment

John Locke Englishman Essay Concerning Human

Understanding Published essay People born with blank minds Molded by experiences Came to their senses from

surrounding world Major thinker of the Enlightenment

Isaac Newton Englishman Believed in the physical world

Everything is like a giant machine Operated according to natural laws

Laws Uncovered through scientific investigation

Newton and the Enlightenment Discoverer of Natural Laws Used Scientific Method Applied laws to society

Ideas of Philosophy Philosophe

French term for philosopher Term for intellectuals of the

enlightenment Middle and Upper classes

Needed education Philosophers were:

Writers Professors Journalists Economists Social Reformers (most important)

Role of Philosophy Goals:

“To change the world…” “Applying one’s self to the to the

study of society, with the purpose of making his kind better and happier.”

Ideas: Often disagreed with each other Generations became more radical Built off of and changed ideas from

the past

Montesquieu Dominated philosophical

landscape French Noble The Spirit of Laws (1748)

Famous publication Study of Governments

Applied Scientific Method Find natural laws Governed the social and political

relationships of human beings

Montesquieu’sChecks & Balances England’s Government

3 Branches: Executive (the Monarch) Legislative (Parliament) Judicial (Courts of Law)

Separation of Powers Branches limit the power of the others Creates “balance: within the government

System of Checks and Balances Most lasting contribution to political thought

Voltaire Greatest figure of

Enlightenment philosophy* Background:

Prosperous middle-class family

Known for: Criticism of Christianity Strong belief in religious

toleration (France) Treatise on Toleration (1763)

Voltaire & Deism Deism

Religious philosophy Based on reason and natural law

Ideology Build on idea of Newtonian “World Machine” Mechanic = God He created/designed the universe

Example World is like a clock God = clockmaker Created it, set it in motion, and allowed it to

run without interference, according to its natural laws

Dennis Diderot Background

University of Paris Father career in Church law Became a writer

Encyclopedia (1751 – 1772) Classified Dictionary of Sciences, Arts, and

Trades Major Enlightenment contribution Goal: “Change the general way of thinking”

Weapon against Old Society Highly scientific Spoke out against the Church Spread enlightenment ideas

The Enlightenment(Part II) Chapter 10, Section 2

Economics Adam Smith

Social Justice Cesare Beccaria

The Social Contract Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Women’s Rights Mary Wollstonecraft

Religion in the Enlightenment John Wesley

The Enlightenment(The Salon)

Chapter 10, Section 2Page 316

The Salon