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The Philosophes. Definitions. Philosophe – Member of a group of Enlightenment thinkers who tried to apply the methods of science to the improvement of society Salon – a meeting place for thinkers Natural Law – Rule or law that governs human nature
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Definitions • Philosophe – Member of a group of Enlightenment thinkers who tried to apply the methods of science to the improvement of society • Salon – a meeting place for thinkers • Natural Law – Rule or law that governs human nature • Natural Right – Right that belongs to all humans from birth
The Salonnieres Madame Geoffrin(1699-1777) MadameSuzanne Necker(1739-1794) MademoiselleJulie de Lespinasse(1732-1776)
Philosophes to Know • Diderot • Rousseau • Voltaire • Montesquieu
All things must be: Examined Debated Investigated Without exception Without regard for anyone’s feelings. Denis Diderot (1713-1784)
French Writer Satirist Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Jailed for his ideas Exiled to England Voltaire (1712-1778)
The “wit” of Voltaire • “God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.” • “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.” • “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.” • “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” • “Men are equal; it is not birth, but virtue that makes the difference.” • “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
“Perfect” Government Checks and Balances Equal Separation of Power Legislative (Make Laws) Executive (Enforce Laws) Judicial (Interpret Laws) Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)
Legacy of the Philosophes • Revolutions (American, French, and others) • Representative Democracy reshaped western political thought • “Egalitarian Disease” (Once reformers began to criticize established institutions, they didn’t know where to stop.) • Civil society exists to share knowledge • Establishment of legal rights for the individual