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ENLIGHTENMENT

ENLIGHTENMENT. THE AGE OF REASON. EUROPE CHANGES THE WORLD. Due to Renaissance & Scientific Revolution : Humanists focus on abilities of humans Scientists develop new ways of approaching the unknown - observation, experiments, & math

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ENLIGHTENMENT

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  1. ENLIGHTENMENT THE AGE OF REASON

  2. EUROPE CHANGES THE WORLD Due to Renaissance & Scientific Revolution: • Humanists focus on abilities of humans • Scientists develop new ways of approaching the unknown - observation, experiments, & math • Newton (gravity), Copernicus & Kepler (heliocentric theory, elliptical rotation of planets), Galileo (telescope) & Harvey (circulation of blood)

  3. NATURE OF HUMANS: THE BAD • Philosophers question behavior of humans – Natural Laws • THOMAS HOBBES - wrote Leviathon describes people as naturally evil & selfish • W/o strong government (absolute power) life would be “nasty, brutish, & short” • People driven by greed • “The condition of man is war-like & government helps keep order”

  4. NATURE OF HUMANS: THE GOOD • JOHN LOCKE- wrote Two Treatises of Government describes people as reasonable & moral • The best kind of government is one that’s accepted by majority of citizens • “Men are free, equal, & independent” • Ideas influenced the US Declaration of Independence & French Revolution • Right to life, liberty, & property

  5. FRENCH INFLUENCE • BARON DE MONTESQUIEU - wrote The Spirit of the Laws greatly respected limited monarch of Britain • Suggested protection from tyranny (abuse of power) b/c had created 3 separate branches of government w/individual power & shared power (U.S. Constitution, French Constitution) • “In order to have liberty, there should be government…power should be a check to power”

  6. ENLIGHTENMENT WRITERS • philosophes - “lovers of wisdom” • AROUET (pen name: VOLTAIRE) – used satire (witty but sarcastic) to write about abuses in society in book Candide • Said to avoid excessive idealism & improve human existence through freedom of speech • “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

  7. ENLIGHTENMENT WRITERS, II • DIDEROT - wrote Encyclopedia (28 volumes)  collected articles regarding all topics: science, politics, economics, slavery, human rights, religion, etc. • Pope threatened to excommunicate Catholics who read it! • Translations helped spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe

  8. DOWN WITH MONARCHS! • JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU – wrote The Social Contract people were naturally good, but corrupted by evils of society, especially unequal distribution of property (rich v. poor) • Freely formed government is not an abuse of power & will of majority must be heard; benefit of many over benefit of few • Government should protect common good • “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains…”

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