The EnlightenmentCh. 10 Sec 2

Enlightenment18th century philosophical movement

Intellectuals impressed with Scientific Revolution

Focused on reasonApplication of scientific method to understanding of life

Hoped to make progress toward a better society

John LockeMan is born with a blank mind

People are molded by experiences Came through senses from surrounding world

Positive view of human naturePeople can learn from experience and improve themselves

Have natural ability to govern own affairs and look after welfare of society

Natural RightsAll people are born free and equal3 basic rights – life, liberty, and property

Purpose of gov’t is to protect these rights

If gov’t fails, citizens have right to overthrow it

Ten Treatises on Government

Isaac Newton

World-Machine ConceptPhysical world and everything in it operated like a giant machine

Natural laws controlled everythingCould be uncovered through

systematic investigationNatural laws of physical world could

lead to natural laws governing human societyLaws could lead to ideal society

Ideas of the PhilosophesPhilosophe

Intellectuals of the EnlightenmentFrench word meaning “philosopher”

Mostly nobility and middle classMostly French

The Role of PhilosophyPhilosophes wanted to change the

worldStudy society with purpose of making it better

Rational criticism applied to everythingLife, religion, politics

Generations built on contributions before themBecame more radical over time

MontesquieuThe Spirit of the Laws – 1748Three Basic Gov’t

Republics suitable for small states

Despotism appropriate for large states

Monarchies Moderate sized states

Separation of PowersThree Branches of English Gov’t

ExecutiveMonarch carries out laws

LegislativeParliament makes laws

JudicialCourt system interprets laws

Power 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 law

God created world and set it in motion

Allowed world to run according to natural laws and without interference

Denis DiderotEncyclopedia

28-volume collection of knowledgeArticles written by greatest thinkers, philosophers and scientists of the day

Included:Attacks on religious superstitionSupported toleranceSocial, legal, and political reforms

New Social SciencesPhilosophes used Newton’s methods to discover natural lawsLed to social sciences

Economics and Political Science

EconomicsPhysiocrats and Adam Smith

Founders of modern economicsPhysiocrats

French groupInterested in identifying natural economic laws governing human society

Individuals free to pursue own economic self-interest would benefit societyThe state should not interrupt free economics

Gov’t should not impose regulationsState should leave the economy alone

Laissez-FaireFrench for “let the people do what they want

Adam Smith1776 – Wealth of the Nations

State should not interfere in economy

Gov’t has three basic rolesProtect society from invasion – army

Defend citizens from injustice – police

Keep up public works necessary for social interaction and trade

Adam Smith and EconomicsDesire for personal gain drives economic

activityLeads to competition

Competition would benefit societyPrices kept lowerProduction more efficientLabor and capital are directed to profitable industries

Pursuit of self-interest benefits all society

Beccaria on JusticeBy 18th Century, most European states

had developed court systemPunishments were often cruel

Used to deter crime Police force too weak to capture

criminalsOn Crimes and Punishments – 1764

Punishments should not be brutalOpposed capital punishment

The Spread of Ideas1760s introduced a new generation

of philosophesIdeas spread through increasingly

literate society

The Social ContractJean-Jacques Rousseau

Discourse on the Origins of the Inequality of Mankind

People had adopted laws and gov’t to preserve propertyBecame enslaved to gov’t

The 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

Rousseau’s BeliefsEmotion and reason were important

to human developmentBalance between heart and mind

Women naturally different from menEducate women for roles as wives and mothers

Learn obedienceSkills necessary to provide loving care for husbands and children

Women’s RightsMary Wollstonecraft

Vindication of the Rights of WomenPeople argued women must obey man Also said gov’t with arbitrary power

over subjects was wrongEnlightenment and rights based on reasonWomen have reasonWomen should have same rights as

men

The Growth of ReadingSpread of ideas to literate people

extremely importantPublishing and literacy rates grew

# of books increasedMagazinesnewspapers

The SalonSalons

Elegant drawing rooms of wealthy upper class’s houses

People gathered there to have conversations about Enlightenment ideasWriters, artists, aristocrats, gov’t

officials, wealthy middle classGave women who hosted events a position of powerMarie-Therese de Geoffrin