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Enlightenment Philosophers

Learn about prominent Enlightenment thinkers such as Rousseau, Montesquieu, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Beccaria, Wollstonecraft, Blackstone, and Locke. Understand their beliefs and contributions to philosophy.

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Enlightenment Philosophers

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  1. Enlightenment Philosophers Who was it?

  2. People are born good, independent and compassionate • The natural state of man is peaceful and happy • Promoted direct democracy in The Social Contract as the only way to protect freedom • Who is it? • Rousseau

  3. Advocated secular (non-religious) morality as a way to encourage religious tolerance • Approved of slavery and that women should obey their husbands • Advocated separating branches of government that would prevent the abuse of power • Who is it? • Montesquieu

  4. Believed rulers should do whatever was necessary • It’s better for rulers to be feared than loved • The stability of the state was more important than the personal character of the rulers. • Who is it? • Machiavelli

  5. Supported absolute monarchy because people are naturally wicked • People can’t be trusted to govern themselves because of their selfishness • He believed people should accept monarchs because it was in their best interest • Who is it? • Hobbes

  6. Promoted the idea of free will • Get the right punishment and people will use their free will correctly • By choosing society, you choose to give up some liberty for safety in a Social Contract • He influenced many of the protections in the Bill of Rights • Who is it? • Beccaria

  7. Believed education can perfect human nature • Rulers ruling the ruled was inherently oppressive, corrupting the oppressed and oppressor • Promoted gender equality • Who is it? • Wollstonecraft

  8. Believed the universe is governed by unchangeable laws made by God • Laws and punishment are man’s best tools to produce right conduct and discourage wrong conduct in people • Influenced Bill of Rights, especially impeachment and right to bear arms • 3 primary rights: security, liberty and property • Who is it? • Blackstone

  9. Distrusted democracy, believing only enlightened monarchs could improve conditions • Promoted freedom of religion • Remembered for his promotion of civil rights and a fair trial • Who is it? • Voltaire

  10. Promoted the role of reason • People have a natural ability to govern themselves • If government abuses rights, people have the right to overthrow that govt. • Governments are formed to protect life, liberty and property • Who is it? • Locke

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