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The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment. The Enlightenment- an 18 th century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason to all aspects of society. Philosophes are thinkers in France during the period of Enlightenment. They believed in:

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The Enlightenment

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  1. The Enlightenment The Enlightenment- an 18th century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason to all aspects of society.

  2. Philosophes are thinkers in France during the period of Enlightenment. They believed in: • Reason- truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking. • Nature- there were natural laws of economics and politics that evolves. • Happiness- people who accepted nature’s laws would be happy and live prosperous lives. • Progress- people evolve continuously by learning from each other and their experiences • Liberty- Through reason society will enjoy free speech, religion, personal travel, and trade.

  3. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679 • Hobbes wrote the book called The Leviathan. • Hobbes outlines the “Social Contract” theory which states: The people act in their own self-interest (greed). They need a ruler with total power to keep them under control. • Absolutism

  4. John Locke (1632-1704) • John Locke wrote a book called the Two Treatises on Government (1690). • John Locke outlines fundamental rights that all humans have. • Right to Life, Liberty, and Property • Purpose of government is to protect these rights; if they do not then citizens have right to overthrow government. • Argued against Absolutism

  5. Francois Marie Arouet (Voltaire) • Voltaire spoke out for fundamental freedoms such as Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press. • Used satire against opponents • targeted government, clergy, and aristocracy • Promoted-tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and speech.

  6. Baron de Montesquieu • Montesquieu believed in that government should be balanced or have aseparation ofpowers. This thinking brought on checks and balances. • He wrote these ideas down in his book calledOn the Spirit of Laws (1748).

  7. Jean Jacques Rousseau • Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that the only good government is one that is freely formed by the people and guided by the people. • The People represent supreme power – adirect democracy • He wrote these ideas down in a book called The Social Contract.

  8. Cesare Beccaria • Beccaria Promotes Criminal Justice • The abolishment of torture as a means of obtaining a confession • No cruel or unusual punishment. • Capital punishment • Fair trials for all • Punishment should help society

  9. Women of the Enlightenment • Mary Astell 1694- A Serious Proposal to the Ladies • equality in education • equality in marriage • Mary Wollstonecraft spoke out for woman’s right in the 18th century. • Mary Wollstonecraft 1792- A Vindication of the Rights of Woman • disagrees with Rousseau’s opinion of education for women • more education to become better mothers, nurses, and doctors.

  10. Effects of the Enlightenment • Belief in Progress; The success of the scientific revolution gave people the confidence that human reason could solve social problems. • A More Worldly Outlook; People began to openly question their religious beliefs and the teachings of the church. • Rise of Individualism; People turned away from the church and royalty for guidance and looked to themselves instead.

  11. Believed in a “Social Contract”; People acted in their own interest so they need a powerful ruler to control them. Thomas Hobbes Believed in natural rights to all people; Right to life, liberty, and property John Locke Believed in freedom of speech, religion, and press Voltaire Believed in separation of powers and checks and balances in government. Montesquieu Believed that a government should be freely formed by its citizens and guided by them – Direct Democracy Rousseau

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