The Age of Enlightenment

The Philosophers

Political Scientists and Their Ideas On Government

The Enlightenment Foundations Main Scientist who Influenced political thought: Sir

Isaac Newton Basic Beliefs:

1. Use the Scientific Method to discover the “Laws of Human Nature” in order to create a harmonious and orderly society…

2. Educate people in the use of “logic & reason” so that they can participate in a representative government…

3. Each person is capable of reason & can realize their ambition.

4. Society can improve and progress.

Scientists’ Influence on PoliticsConcepts

about:

Scientific View

Enlightenment’s Political Views

Logic/Reason is Think Logically to discover “truth”

Eliminates intolerance & prejudice

Nature Natural Laws are discovered through logic

Nature is GOOD.

Natural Laws of politics & economics exist.

Happiness Following nature’s laws will bring well-being

Progress Through scientific discovery

Through “logical” solutions to society’s problems,

Liberty Logic is liberating Logic is liberating

Thomas Hobbes: The Physiocrat1588-1679

Thomas Hobbes: The Physiocrat1588-1679

Country: England Writing: The Leviathan

When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant monster”.

Best Government is Absolute Monarchy because… Man’s Nature is to be selfish, cruel, and violent… THEREFORE, a “Social Contract” is necessary to keep

order.

INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies & dictatorships

John Locke1632-1704

Country: England Writings: The Origins of Government and

Second Treatise on Government…. Views on Human Nature:

The “blank slate of the mind” makes everyone equal at birth (tabula rusa)

Man acquires knowledge through observation using the five senses (empiricism)

Locke (cont.) Views on Government:

Natural Rights of Life, Liberty,& Property exist “Social Contract” is an agreement between the rulers and the

ruled. People lend their power to a government whose power is

limited by the “Consent of the governed” THEREFORE, if the government does not protect the

peoples’ natural rights, then the people can take back their power.

Influenced: France, England, the American colonies

Baron D’ Montesquieu 1689-1755

Real name: Charles d’ Secondat Country: France Writings: The Spirit of the Laws Considered the “Founder of Political Science.” Views on Government:

In a “Rational Society” the ruled must be protected from absolute monarchs’ power.

There are layers of government which need to have their powers separated: Law-making from Ruling from Interpreting the Law

Power must be “checked and balanced” so that no one group has too much power. “Separation of Powers”

INFLUENCED: American Colonies, any democratic gov’t

Voltaire1694-1778

Real Name: Francois Marie Arouét

Country: France Writings: Candide (a satire) Views on Religion & Intolerance

Deist: Deism believed in a “Supreme Being”; did not believe in “organized religion”

Supreme Being was like a Clockmaker Universe was “logical” in its composition

Voltaire (cont.) Supreme Being has no personal relationship with

humanity. Humans make their own choices and decide their own

destiny. Organized Religions are the source of intolerance. Advocated for Freedom of Religion and Speech

“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it…”

INFLUENCED the U.S. Bill of Rights and future democratic governments.

Jean Jacques Rousseau1712-1778

Country: Switzerland Writings: Discourses on Arts & Sciences… and The

Social Contract Views on Human Nature:

Man is best in the “State of Nature” as a Noble Savage

Civilization corrupts man, but man is a social animal he needs to live in communities.

Rousseau (cont.) Views on Community (a homogeneous group

with the same values) Social contract is determined by the “General Will”

of the community. The community runs by majority (the many) but… The community respects the rights of the minority

(the few)

INFLUENCED democratic gov’ts, constitutions, and our Bill of Rights

Denis Diderot1713-1784

Country: France Writings: The Encyclopedia Reason for his life’s work:

Record all learning and ideas of his time without bias. Explain knowledge clearly, precisely in order to eliminate

ignorance and intolerance. Illustrate each entry about nature , society, & inventions

INFLUENCED: People’s access to knowledge became a threat to traditional authorities, like Church and monarchies.

Cesare Beccaria 1738-1794

Country: Italy Book: On Crimes and Punishment (1764) Ideas: Against torture, unjust trials, cruel & unusual

punishment, punishment should fit the crime and NO Capital Punishment; Greatest Good for the Greatest Number of People

Influenced: criminal law reformers in Europe and North America

Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797

Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797 Country: England Book: Vindication of the Rights of Women Ideas: Women like men needed education

to become virtuous & useful. They should enter male-dominated careers, like medicine and politics.

Influences: Women’s rights groups in Europe and North America