the age of enlightenment the philosophers political scientists and their ideas on government
TRANSCRIPT
The Age of Enlightenment
The Philosophers
Political Scientists and Their Ideas On Government
The Enlightenment Foundations Main Scientist who Influenced political thought: Sir
Isaac Newton Basic Beliefs:
1. Use the Scientific Method to discover the “Laws of Human Nature” in order to create a harmonious and orderly society…
2. Educate people in the use of “logic & reason” so that they can participate in a representative government…
3. Each person is capable of reason & can realize their ambition.
4. Society can improve and progress.
Scientists’ Influence on PoliticsConcepts
about:
Scientific View
Enlightenment’s Political Views
Logic/Reason is Think Logically to discover “truth”
Eliminates intolerance & prejudice
Nature Natural Laws are discovered through logic
Nature is GOOD.
Natural Laws of politics & economics exist.
Happiness Following nature’s laws will bring well-being
Progress Through scientific discovery
Through “logical” solutions to society’s problems,
Liberty Logic is liberating Logic is liberating
Thomas Hobbes: The Physiocrat1588-1679
Thomas Hobbes: The Physiocrat1588-1679
Country: England Writing: The Leviathan
When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant monster”.
Best Government is Absolute Monarchy because… Man’s Nature is to be selfish, cruel, and violent… THEREFORE, a “Social Contract” is necessary to keep
order.
INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies & dictatorships
John Locke1632-1704
Country: England Writings: The Origins of Government and
Second Treatise on Government…. Views on Human Nature:
The “blank slate of the mind” makes everyone equal at birth (tabula rusa)
Man acquires knowledge through observation using the five senses (empiricism)
Locke (cont.) Views on Government:
Natural Rights of Life, Liberty,& Property exist “Social Contract” is an agreement between the rulers and the
ruled. People lend their power to a government whose power is
limited by the “Consent of the governed” THEREFORE, if the government does not protect the
peoples’ natural rights, then the people can take back their power.
Influenced: France, England, the American colonies
Baron D’ Montesquieu 1689-1755
Real name: Charles d’ Secondat Country: France Writings: The Spirit of the Laws Considered the “Founder of Political Science.” Views on Government:
In a “Rational Society” the ruled must be protected from absolute monarchs’ power.
There are layers of government which need to have their powers separated: Law-making from Ruling from Interpreting the Law
Power must be “checked and balanced” so that no one group has too much power. “Separation of Powers”
INFLUENCED: American Colonies, any democratic gov’t
Voltaire1694-1778
Real Name: Francois Marie Arouét
Country: France Writings: Candide (a satire) Views on Religion & Intolerance
Deist: Deism believed in a “Supreme Being”; did not believe in “organized religion”
Supreme Being was like a Clockmaker Universe was “logical” in its composition
Voltaire (cont.) Supreme Being has no personal relationship with
humanity. Humans make their own choices and decide their own
destiny. Organized Religions are the source of intolerance. Advocated for Freedom of Religion and Speech
“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it…”
INFLUENCED the U.S. Bill of Rights and future democratic governments.
Jean Jacques Rousseau1712-1778
Country: Switzerland Writings: Discourses on Arts & Sciences… and The
Social Contract Views on Human Nature:
Man is best in the “State of Nature” as a Noble Savage
Civilization corrupts man, but man is a social animal he needs to live in communities.
Rousseau (cont.) Views on Community (a homogeneous group
with the same values) Social contract is determined by the “General Will”
of the community. The community runs by majority (the many) but… The community respects the rights of the minority
(the few)
INFLUENCED democratic gov’ts, constitutions, and our Bill of Rights
Denis Diderot1713-1784
Country: France Writings: The Encyclopedia Reason for his life’s work:
Record all learning and ideas of his time without bias. Explain knowledge clearly, precisely in order to eliminate
ignorance and intolerance. Illustrate each entry about nature , society, & inventions
INFLUENCED: People’s access to knowledge became a threat to traditional authorities, like Church and monarchies.
Cesare Beccaria 1738-1794
Country: Italy Book: On Crimes and Punishment (1764) Ideas: Against torture, unjust trials, cruel & unusual
punishment, punishment should fit the crime and NO Capital Punishment; Greatest Good for the Greatest Number of People
Influenced: criminal law reformers in Europe and North America
Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797
Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797 Country: England Book: Vindication of the Rights of Women Ideas: Women like men needed education
to become virtuous & useful. They should enter male-dominated careers, like medicine and politics.
Influences: Women’s rights groups in Europe and North America