Age of ReasonENLIGHTENMENT

In the 1600’s a new generation of philosophers began to view reason as the solution to all human problems.

People gathered in public spaces to debate new ideas.

Many of these ideas were published in books, magazines, and pamphlets.

Popular thought the problems of the world could be solved by educated people.

By the 1700’s, wealthy Parisian women began hosting social gathers called salons which brought together philosophers, artists, scientists, and writers to discuss their ideas.

THE START OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Believed that people would naturally live lives that were “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

Believed people needed a strong government to impose order.

Believed people should agree to give up some freedom in exchange for the peace, safety, and order government could provide. SOCIAL CONTRACT

Believed Monarchy is the best form of government

THOMAS HOBBES

Believed people were naturally happy, tolerant, and reasonable.

Argued all people were born equal with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.

Believed the purpose of government was to protect people’s natural rights.

Believed if the government failed to protect the citizens natural rights they had the right to overthrow them. (This became the foundation for modern democracy.)

JOHN LOCKE

Believed people were basically born good.Believed society corrupted people.Believed government should work for the benefit of

the common good, not for the wealthy few. Individuals should give up some of their freedoms for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Believed that all people were equal and should be recognized as so in society.

JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU

Believed a best form of government included a separation of powers.

Believed dividing powers among diff erent branches of government would prevent any individual or group from abusing its power.

Wrote a book on British government and its branches of government.

He misunderstood the structures of British government which led him to the conclusion of checks and balances. (This concept became an important part of democratic governments.)

BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

He was an outspoken philosopher philosophe.His real name was Francois-Marie Arouet. He wrote

under the name Voltaire to attack injustice wherever he saw it among the nobility and in the church.

His writings created enemies and was imprisoned twice.

Despite making enemies, he continued to fight for justice, religious toleration, and liberty.

VOLTAIRE

Complied the great expansion of human knowledge into the Encyclopedia.

The Encyclopedia was a 28 volume work that explained new ideas about art, science, government, and religion.

Worked on the Encyclopedia for 27 years. The government tried to stop publication because it

criticized the church, the government, and the legal system. Diderot completed the remaining volumes in secret. (Last volume was published in 1772.)

DENIS DIDEROT

Rejected the view that women’s proper roles were as wives and mothers, and that women should receive only enough education to prepare them for those roles.

Demanded equal rights for women.Argued if men and women had equal education, they

would be equal in society.

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT

Used reason to analyze economic systems.Argued that business activities should take place in a

free market.Strong believer of Laissez-Faire economics an

economic system that worked without government regulation. (French for “leave alone.”)

Believed the economy would be stronger if the market forces of supply and demand were allowed to work freely.

ADAM SMITH

Challenged the belief of absolute monarchy.Questioned the relationship of church and state.Debated roles and rights of people in society. Spurred many generations to enact reforms and

inspire revolutions.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT….