Criticisms of Religious Authority

• Criticisms often motivated by typical Enlightenment belief in reason and social justice

Thomas Paine, 1737-1809

Criticisms of Religious Authority

• Criticisms often motivated by typical Enlightenment belief in reason and social justice

• Tom Paine on the Bible: “a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalise mankind.”

Criticisms of Religious Authority• Criticisms often motivated by

typical Enlightenment belief in reason and social justice

• Tom Paine: “a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalise mankind.”

• Voltaire’s Treatise on Tolerance (1763) “we ought to look upon all men as our brothers” Voltaire, 1694 - 1778

Movements for Social Reform

• 1764: Cessare Beccaria argues for the humane treatment of criminals

Movements for Social Reform

• 1764: Cessare Beccaria argues for the humane treatment of criminals

• “Every punishment that does not arise from absolute necessity is tyrannical”

Movements for Social Reform

• 1764: Cessare Beccaria argues for the humane treatment of criminals

• “Every punishment that does not arise from absolute necessity is tyrannical”

• Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Right of Women (1792)

Movements for Social Reform

• 1764: Cessare Beccaria argues for the humane treatment of criminals

• “Every punishment that does not arise from absolute necessity is tyrannical”

• Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Right of Women (1792)

• “I do not wish women to have power over men but over themselves”

Movements for Social Reform

• 1764: Cessare Beccaria argues for the humane treatment of criminals

• “Every punishment that does not arise from absolute necessity is tyrannical”

• Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Right of Women (1792)

• “I do not wish women to have power over men but over themselves”

• Anti-slavery movement initially slow to develop. England only abolishes slavery in 1833