Enlightenment philosophers were inspired by the

scientists of the Scientific Revolution.

They wanted to improve society. So, they questioned

everything.

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How do we get along?

How do we end poverty?How do we punish criminals?

Enlightenment ThinkersThese thinkers believed that human reason could be used to combat ignorance, superstition, and tyranny and to build a better world.

Philosophers want to use Reason:

Reason Using knowledge to understand,No more myths or stories….FACTS.

NatureNature is all things from “mother nature”—They believed in Natural Laws

Happiness Those who live by natural laws will be happy. Did not like Dark Ages idea life.

ProgressMoving toward perfection, or to make improvements…

Liberty Freedom of Speech, Religion,Rights to property, and knowledge

Philosophers and the “State of Man in Nature”Man in the State of Nature:Human’s way of thinking, feeling and acting without any influence

Are we Naturally good or evil? How do we control good or bad behavior?

Are humans…Naturally Bad:- Desire for self promotion- Win at all cost motivation—severe competition - Death is inevitable; so no big deal- Solitary; survival best done alone - Constant state of war—Me against world

Or are Humans…Naturally good:- Learn from experience and grow from

them—improvement - Reasonable—can use evidence & observation for betterment- Natural ability to care for society— general welfare- Nobody is pre-set; life is one learning experience

Two Views on GovernmentTHOMAS HOBBES JOHN LOCKE

State of Nature: Thomas Hobbes

HobbesThe "natural condition of mankind" is

what would exist if there were no government, no civilization, no laws, and no common power to restrain human nature.

The state of nature is "war of all against all," in which human beings constantly seek to destroy each other in an for power ($$$). Life in the state of nature is "nasty, brutish and short."

Thomas Hobbes:He believed that only a strong King could maintain law and order.

B/C man is mean & cruel they must be ruled with an iron fist!

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State of Nature: John LockePeople first lived in a state of anarchy

(CAVE MEN)Using Reason & LOGIC human began to

use each other for progress and stability in order to maintain stability they made a

social contracts in which they KEPT natural rights which each human had and protected:1. Life2. Liberty3. Property

Locke argued that the function of government was to protect these rights.

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Montesquieu believed that the best way to prevent despotism (the exercise of unlimited power) was to divide political power.

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He suggested that all governments should provide for the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial parts.

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Rousseau believed in a Social Contract. He believed that the members of society would make a contract to give up some of their freedom in order to serve the common interests of all the people in the society.

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Voltaire wrote against religious intolerance and criticized governments that persecuted people for following their own faith.

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Enlightenment ideas clearly influenced the American Revolution.

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The ideas of the Enlightenment changed world history.

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