I can describe the accomplishments of the Enlightenment thinkers and connect these accomplishments to my own life. 7.62 Describe the accomplishments of major Enlightenment thinkers, including Locke and Charles- Louis Montesquieu. Philosophers & thinkers They believed the use of reason could improve society. To actually achieve this progress they had to share their ideas with others! 1
Believed the church and government should be separate. Remember he said he believed everyone had the right to say what they wanted to say. NO censorship Voltaire French philosopher mocked government and religion in his wri:ngs believed humans could improve their own existence, instead trus:ng God to improve human happiness spoke out against censorship- removal of informa,on considered harmful; got in trouble for some of his wri:ngs 2
Voltaire I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death of your right to say it. English professor John Locke had a major influence on Enlightenment poliocal thought. In 1690, he published Two Trea(ses on Government. He argued for government as a contract between the ruler and the people. Remember a contract is a binding legal agreement. A contract would bound both sides and the rulers power would be limited. Why do you think this is important? 3
Locke believed the government existed only for the good of the people. He declared that all people had certain natural rights- which included the rights to life, liberty, and property. He believed no person was born with special privileges. According to Locke, the government should protect the natural rights of the ciozens. If it didn t the people should have the right to change the rules. Frenchman, Montesquieu, was a member of the nobility. He built on Locke's ideas in The Spirit of the Laws published in 1748. He claimed that government should be divided into separate branches to protect people s freedom. This ideas was known as the separa:on of powers- each branch of government was limited by the others. The branches had to share the power. 4
French thinker focused on divine right. What was divine right? He believed in popular sovereignty- the idea that governments should express the will of the people. Power was shi_ing from the wealthy nobles and rulers to ALL THE PEOPLE! The Social Contract- published in 1762 he declared Man is born free, but he is everywhere else in chains. 5
According to Rousseau, ciozens submit to the authority of the government to protect their own interest entering into a social contract. This contract gives the government the power to make and enforce laws as long as it serves the people. The government should give up that power if it is not serving the people. Denis Diderot Philosopher edited a book called the Encyclopedia. included arocles by more than 100 experts on science, technology, and history The French king and the pope both banned the Encyclopedia. Why do you think that was? 6
Thomas Hobbes and the nature of society (all men are bru:sh). Idea that men must forfeit some personal freedoms for the benefit of having a strong ruler who maintains a peaceful and orderly society. British Writers BriOsh writer, Mary WollstonecraO argued that women should have the same rights as men. The E thinkers even applied their ideas of freedom and progress to economics. Adam Smith- believed economics was governed by natural law argued that government should not try to control the economy and that economic growth came from the people- what do you think this means? Many of his arguments are the foundaoons for economists 7
So the Enlightenment said The ability to reason is what made humans unique Reasons can be used to solve problems and improve people s lives Reason can free people from ignorance, supersooon, and unfair government The natural world is governed by laws that can be discovered through reason Like the natural world, human behavior is governed by natural law Governments should reflect natural laws and encourage educaoon and debate. Listen to the lyrics of a popular song. In your chart, tell me which Enlightenment thinker would ve listened to your song or would ve wriren it. Why? What Enlightenment ideas are represented in your song? We will compare ideas aoer all songs. 8