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Enlightenment: Intellectual Revolution and Views on Government

The Enlightenment in Europe, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual movement that applied reason and scientific methods to shape human actions and society. Enlightenment thinkers held discussions in salons and some rulers embraced these ideas, becoming known as enlightened despots. Thomas Hobbes believed in a strong government to avoid a war of every man against every man, while John Locke championed natural rights and the right to overthrow a failing government. The philosophes advocated reason, believing in progress, liberty, and happiness on earth. Figures like Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Beccaria, and Mary Wollstonecraft promoted freedom, tolerance, and equality. The Enlightenment influenced revolutions, emphasized individual importance, and reduced religious influence in society.

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Enlightenment: Intellectual Revolution and Views on Government

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  1. The Enlightenmentin Europe

  2. Enlightenment • “The Enlightenment” – an intellectual movement • “The Age of Reason” based on the Scientific Revolution: Enlightenment thinkers tried to apply reason and scientific method to laws that shaped human actions and society.

  3. Enlightenment • Writers and authors held discussions and social gatherings called “salons” • Rulers who followed Enlightenment ideas in part – but were unwilling to give up much power – were called “enlightened despots”

  4. Two Views on Government • Thomas Hobbes. • Believed there would be a war of “every man against every man” if there was no government. • “Social Contract”: agreement between people and their government.

  5. Two Views on Government • Thomas Hobbes. • “Social Contract” • People give up their rights to the government to live in a safe and orderly way. • Best government is that of a strong king who can force all people to obey.

  6. Two Views on Government • John Locke Believed people have three natural rights: • Life • Liberty • Property

  7. Two Views on Government • John Locke • If government fails to protect the three rights, people have a right to overthrow the government.

  8. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Philosophes: Social critics / French thinkers

  9. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Philosophes: Social critics / French thinkers. Five main beliefs: • REASON: Truth can be discovered through reason or logical thinking. • NATURE: What was natural was also good and reasonable. • HAPPINESS: Rejected the medieval idea that people should wait to find joy in the afterlife, and urged people to seek happiness and well-being on earth today! • PROGRESS: Society and humankind can improve. • LIBERTY: People should enjoy freedoms & rights.

  10. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Voltaire • Most brilliant of the philosophes • Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief and freedom of speech.

  11. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Montesquieu • Wrote about Separation of Powers: dividing government among the separate branches of government.

  12. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Rousseau • Wrote in favor of human freedom. • Wanted society in which all people were equal.

  13. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Beccaria • Italian • Spoke against abuses of justice • Abolish torture

  14. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • Mary Wollstonecraft • Wrote about women’s rights: “If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?” • Many Enlightenement thinkers wanted equal rights for men but paid no attention to the fact that women didn’t have such rights.

  15. Legacy of Enlightenment • Influenced American and French Revolutions • Spread the idea of progress • Use reason to make society better • Made world less religious and more worldly. • Importance of the individual.

  16. Enlightenment Paragraph • SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER: • P. 200, Question #9 • Write one paragraph (appx. ½ page) Compare the views of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau on government. Then write one paragraph about how their ideas reflect their understanding of human behavior.

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