The Enlightenment

The EnlightenmentCh. 10 Sec 2Enlightenment17 and 18th century philosophical movementIntellectuals impressed with Scientific RevolutionFocused on reasonApplication of scientific method to understanding of lifeHoped to make progress toward a better society

Hobbes vs. Locke

Lived during English Civil WarTutored English nobilityFled England How could this have influenced his political beliefs?Thomas HobbesHumans naturally selfishGuided by struggle for self-preservationTo get what they want, people would always be at war w/everyone elseEvery man for himself

Beliefs of Thomas Hobbes

Agreed to form governmentAbsolute ruler (Leviathan)Unlimited power in order to suppress rebellionPurpose of government is to keep law and orderAbsolute power necessary to preserve orderPeople cannot, and should not, overthrow government

Social Contract

Against absolute ruleSociety is organizedLive in state of equality and freedomNo one is ruler over others

John Locke

Tabula RasaMan is born with a blank mindPeople are molded by experiences Came through senses from surrounding world

Positive view of human naturePeople can learn from experience and improve themselvesHave ability to govern own affairs and look after welfare of society

Natural rightsLife, liberty, propertyDifficult for people to protect

Social Contract

Agree to establish govt Ensure protection of rightsJudge those that violate those rightsPurpose of governmentto protect individual liberties and rightsPeople have right to revolt and change

Isaac NewtonWorld-Machine ConceptPhysical world and everything in it operated like a giant machineNatural laws controlled everythingCould be uncovered through systematic investigationNatural laws of physical world could lead to natural laws governing human societyLaws could lead to ideal societyIdeas of the PhilosophesPhilosopheIntellectuals of the EnlightenmentFrench word meaning philosopherMostly nobility and middle classMostly French

The Role of PhilosophyPhilosophes wanted to change the worldStudy society with purpose of making it betterRational criticism applied to everythingLife, religion, politicsGenerations built on contributions before themBecame more radical over timeMontesquieuThe Spirit of the Laws 1748Three Basic GovtRepublics suitable for small statesDespotism appropriate for large statesMonarchies Moderate sized states

Separation of PowersThree Branches of English GovtExecutiveMonarch carries out lawsLegislativeParliament makes lawsJudicialCourt system interprets lawsPower limited through checks and balances

VoltaireFrancois-Marie ArouetCriticized Christianity through satireFought against religious intolerance in FranceFought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion and freedom of speech

DeistReligious philosophy based on reason and natural lawGod created world and set it in motionAllowed world to run according to natural laws and without interference

Denis DiderotEncyclopedia28-volume collection of knowledgeArticles written by greatest thinkers, philosophers and scientists of the dayIncluded:Attacks on religious superstitionSupported toleranceSocial, legal, and political reforms

New Social SciencesPhilosophes used Newtons methods to discover natural lawsLed to social sciencesEconomics and Political ScienceEconomicsPhysiocrats and Adam SmithFounders of modern economicsPhysiocratsFrench groupInterested in identifying natural economic laws governing human societyIndividuals free to pursue own economic self-interest would benefit societyThe state should not interrupt free economicsGovt should not impose regulationsState should leave the economy aloneLaissez-FaireFrench for let the people do what they want

Adam Smith1776 Wealth of the NationsState should not interfere in economyGovt has three basic rolesProtect society from invasion armyDefend citizens from injustice policeKeep up public works necessary for social interaction and trade

Adam Smith and EconomicsDesire for personal gain drives economic activityLeads to competitionCompetition would benefit societyPrices kept lowerProduction more efficientLabor and capital are directed to profitable industriesPursuit of self-interest benefits all societyBeccaria on JusticeBy 18th Century, most European states had developed court systemPunishments were often cruelUsed to deter crime Police force too weak to capture criminalsOn Crimes and Punishments 1764Punishments should not be brutalOpposed capital punishment

The Social ContractJean-Jacques RousseauDiscourse on the Origins of the Inequality of MankindPeople had adopted laws and govt to preserve propertyBecame enslaved to govtThe Social Contract 1762Society agrees to be governed by general will of the peoplePeople that wish to follow own self-interest must be forced to abide by general will

Rousseaus Other BeliefsEmotion and reason were important to human developmentBalance between heart and mindWomen naturally different from menEducate women for roles as wives and mothersLearn obedienceSkills necessary to provide loving care for husbands and childrenWomens RightsMary WollstonecraftVindication of the Rights of WomenPeople argued women must obey man Also said govt with arbitrary power over subjects was wrongEnlightenment and rights based on reasonWomen have reasonWomen should have same rights as men

The Spread of Ideas1760s introduced a new generation of philosophesGrowth of ReadingParisian SalonsEnglish Coffeehouses

The Growth of ReadingSpread of ideas to literate people extremely importantPrinting press increases speed and accuracyPublishing and literacy rates grew# of books increasedMagazinesnewspapersThe SalonSalonsElegant drawing rooms of wealthy upper classs housesPeople gathered there to have conversations about Enlightenment ideasWriters, artists, aristocrats, govt officials, wealthy middle classGave women who hosted events a position of powerMarie-Therese de Geoffrin