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The Enlightenment: Thinkers of Reason and Revolution

Explore how Enlightenment thinkers applied Scientific Revolution theories to society in government, religion, economics, and education. Learn about key figures like John Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Kant. Discover the impact of the Enlightenment on society, politics, and revolutions in America and France.

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The Enlightenment: Thinkers of Reason and Revolution

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  1. The Enlightenment The Thinkers

  2. Aka: Age of Reason. • Men and Women apply theories discovered during the Scientific Revolution upon the aspects of human society: Government, religion, economics, and education. • ‘Man can know everything’…

  3. Important Trends of the Enlightenment • Methods of natural science should be used to examine and understand all aspects of life. • Everything was to be submitted to rational and critical thinking. • The scientific method could be used to study the laws of human society as well as the laws of nature. • It was possible for humans to create better societies and better people.

  4. John Locke

  5. J. LO.

  6. John Locke (J LO) • Held more positive view of life. • Man is reasonable, can learn from their mistakes, and rule him-self. • Man is free and equal with Natural Rights: Life, Liberty and Property. • Government is meant to protect the people, if not…overthrow it! • Wrote: Essay Concerning Human Understanding – Stated that governments are formed by contracts among free individuals.

  7. Why did the Enlightenment start in France? • French was the international language of the educated classes. • The level of censorship and repression was somewhat less than that in most of Europe. • French philosophes asked fundamental questions about the meaning of life, God, human nature, good and evil, and cause and effect. • French philosophes sought actively to influence the educated public.

  8. Voltaire

  9. Voltaire (the fighter of personal rights) • Named: Francois Marie Arouet. • ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ • Made many enemies through the various writings. • Criticized the Church, Government, and Nobles. • He fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of speech and religion. • Did not agree with Democracy. Thought the only proper form of government was an enlightened monarchy.

  10. “Ecrasez l’infame”

  11. Jean Jacque Rousseau

  12. Rousseau (Champion of Freedom) • society corrupts peoples natural goodness. • Freedom of man was crushed by the Strong (king, aristocrats) w/ their unjust laws. • “General Will” - long-term needs of the people can be correctly interpreted by a farseeing minority. (Used by Fascism in the 1930’s) • The best Government is one freely formed by the people. (direct democracy) - “Social Contract” - People allow Government to Govern.

  13. Baron de Montesquieu

  14. Baron de Montesquieu • Wrote: The Spirit of Laws • Government should be balanced among three groups: 1. King (Executive) 2. Parliament (Legislative) 3. Courts (Judicial) Montesquieu called this the Separation of Powers. • Wrote: The Persian Letters • Satire of French society through the eyes of a traveling Persian. • Intended to have the French question their political and cultural foundations.

  15. Paul D’Holbach • French German Philosopher, and author. • His Salon’s were exclusively male and challenging of the depths of Philosophy. • Wrote: System of Nature – Atheist view of nature and the universe.

  16. Pierre Bayle • French Philosopher • As a French Protestant, he advocated for separation of Church and State. • Wrote: Historical and Critical Dictionary – accepted fact is actually just opinion.

  17. Madame Du Chatelet • French mathematician, physicist, and author • Believed women’s limited contribution to science was the result of unequal education • Her translation and commentary of Newton’s Principia Mathematica is her crowing achievement.

  18. Marquis de Condorcet • French Philosopher, Mathematician and Political Scientist. • Wrote: Progress of the Human Mind - whichtracked nine stages of human development. • Idea – our past will show us the future; progress in natural sciences should be followed by progress in moral and political sciences; social evils result from ignorance and not a consequence of human nature.

  19. Immanuel Kant • German Philosopher (modern day Russia) • Great opponent of skepticism, he hoped to end an age of speculation. • Promoted the concept of freedom of the press.

  20. Moses Mendelssohn • German Jew • Believed that the state had no right to interfere with religious freedoms. (Jewish or other) • Reason could complement and strengthen religion

  21. Salons • Were ‘meetings’ established by socialite women. • philosophes, nobles, and members of the upper class often intermingled. • Because the Enlightenment was an upper-class movement, lower 3rd class or estate members were not invited.

  22. Affects of the Enlightenment: • Short Term: • Increased literacy or “book consumption” in France – for selected classes. • Increased illegal book trade. • Led to increasing doubt about the nature of politics, religion, society. • Long Term: • Provided Americans, the French and Latin America with the ideas of social and political revolution. (1770’s- 1820’s) • Continue to influence our modern democratic states. • Declaration of Independence • US Constitution • French Declaration of the Rights of Man

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