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ENGLISH IDEAS FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT

In 1600’s the English Civil War gave enlightened thinkers much to discuss During this period two English Philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes set forth Ideas that are key to the enlightenment Living in England afforded them to see very different thoughts about man and nature

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ENGLISH IDEAS FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT

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  1. In 1600’s the English Civil War gave enlightened thinkers much to discuss During this period two English Philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes set forth Ideas that are key to the enlightenment Living in England afforded them to see very different thoughts about man and nature And the purpose and nature of government. ENGLISHIDEAS FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT

  2. REVOLUTIONARY IMPLICATIONS Human progress was constrained by social and political institutions If we could find laws to govern the physical world, why not use reason to discover natural laws. Laws that govern human nature The enlightenment is where we get the ideas: People should be ruled by laws Separation of powers Rulers need to take care of the people

  3. Thomas Hobbes • English Political Thinker • Believed that all people are essentially selfish • People are only motivated by their own desires

  4. Thomas Hobbes • Without Government society is in a constant state of war • Everyone must give up their rights to a government

  5. HOBBES SUPPORTS KINGS Hobbes witnesses Civil Wars of 1640’s Hobbes wanted to support the royal cause, BUT not on mystical grounds. Man is driven by desire and constrained by reason. The absence of power to overawe them creates a situation of every man vs. every man.

  6. THOMAS HOBBES Believed that people were naturally cruel, mean and selfish. If people were not strictly controlled they would rob fight and oppress each other. Life is a state of nature Life without laws or controls People enter into a social contract or agreement by which they gave up their state of nature for an organized society.

  7. SELF-PRESERVATION The only help for this problem, of the state of nature, is the idea of enlightened self-preservation. A social contract by which people turn over all power to the central government Hobbes did not want tyranny, but a moderate kingship with lots of individual latitude.

  8. Thomas Hobbes writes a book called “Leviathan” In this Hobbes maintained the sovereignty is ultimately derived from the people who transfer it to the monarchy by implicit contract. The power of the Ruler is absolute BUT, kings do not hold their power by divine right. He continues to say that “only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. Such a government could impose order and obedience. Felt that men would obey the laws only as long as they felt protected. Hobbes justifies absolute power while dispelling the idea on divine right.

  9. John Locke • English Political Thinker • Believed people are born: • Free • Equal • Good • Optimistic View of the Nature of Man

  10. John Locke • In a State of Nature man is in a State of War • Natural Rights: • Life • Liberty • Property

  11. JOHN LOCKE ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY READ OF THE ENLIGHTENED THINKERS LOCKE DEFENDED THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION. LOCKE ARGUE’S THE IDEA OF “Tabula Rasa” THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING’S MIND IS A BLANK PAGE, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM EXPERIENCE. LOCKE DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE VIEW THAT PEOPLE WERE BORN WITH THE TENDENCY TO SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY

  12. LOCKE'S SOCIAL CONTRACT LOCKE PUBLISHES HIS IDEAS ON POLITICAL THOUGHT IN 1690. IT IS CALLED “TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT” IT REFLECTS THE NEW POLITICAL CONDITIONS CONFRONTING THE ENGLISH IN THE 1660’S LOCKE WAS MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF MANKIND THAN HOBBES. HE STILL HAD RESERVATIONS HE WROTE ABOUT A STATE OF NATURE THAT MIGHT BE PEACEFUL BUT, WITHOUT IMPARTIAL JUDGES AND WITH THE THREAT OF CONSTANT WARFARE THE STATE OF NATURE WAS AT LEAST INCONVENIENT AND WORST A DISASTER

  13. THE POWER TO GOVERN LOCKE STATED THAT PEOPLE COME TOGETHER IN A SOCIAL CONTRACT BY MUTUAL CONSENT THEY CREATE A GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THEIR NATURAL RIGHTS TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY. THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT IS DERIVED FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.

  14. FREEDOM AND LIBERTY THE POWER OF THE GOVERNMENT IS STRICTLY CONDITIONAL CENTRAL JOB OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROTECT MAN’S PROPERTY LOCKE FEELS THAT A PERSON MUST NOT BE DEPRIVED OF PROPERTY WITHOUT CONSENT AND MUST LIVE UNDER DUE PROCESS OF THE LAW LOCKE SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT THAT PLACED LIMITS ON A RULER’S AUTHORITY. WHEN A GOVERNMENT FAILS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE’S NATURAL RIGHTS AND INSTEAD INTERFERE’S WITH THEM BY ATTEMPTING TO RULE ABSOLUTELY, THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REBEL AS THEY HAD DONE DURING THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION

  15. John Locke • Role of Government • To make laws • To enforce laws • Laws should: • Benefit the people • Protect the Rights of the people • If Gov’t fails to perform - people have the right to overthrow it.

  16. John Locke --His ideas were used to create: --Declaration of Independence --US Constitution --French Constitution of 1791

  17. LOCKE HOBBES

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