The EnlightenmentCh. 10 Sec 2
Enlightenment18th century philosophical movement
Intellectuals impressed with Scientific Revolution
Focused on reasonApplication of scientific method to understanding of life
Hoped to make progress toward a better society
John LockeMan is born with a blank mind
People are molded by experiences Came through senses from surrounding world
Positive view of human naturePeople can learn from experience and improve themselves
Have natural ability to govern own affairs and look after welfare of society
Natural RightsAll people are born free and equal3 basic rights – life, liberty, and property
Purpose of gov’t is to protect these rights
If gov’t fails, citizens have right to overthrow it
Ten Treatises on Government
Isaac Newton
World-Machine ConceptPhysical world and everything in it operated like a giant machine
Natural laws controlled everythingCould be uncovered through
systematic investigationNatural laws of physical world could
lead to natural laws governing human societyLaws could lead to ideal society
Ideas of the PhilosophesPhilosophe
Intellectuals of the EnlightenmentFrench word meaning “philosopher”
Mostly nobility and middle classMostly French
The Role of PhilosophyPhilosophes wanted to change the
worldStudy society with purpose of making it better
Rational criticism applied to everythingLife, religion, politics
Generations built on contributions before themBecame more radical over time
MontesquieuThe Spirit of the Laws – 1748Three Basic Gov’t
Republics suitable for small states
Despotism appropriate for large states
Monarchies Moderate sized states
Separation of PowersThree Branches of English Gov’t
ExecutiveMonarch carries out laws
LegislativeParliament makes laws
JudicialCourt system interprets laws
Power limited through checks and balances
VoltaireFrancois-Marie ArouetCriticized Christianity through satireFought against religious intolerance
in FranceFought for tolerance, reason,
freedom of religion and freedom of speech
DeistReligious philosophy based on reason and natural law
God created world and set it in motion
Allowed world to run according to natural laws and without interference
Denis DiderotEncyclopedia
28-volume collection of knowledgeArticles written by greatest thinkers, philosophers and scientists of the day
Included:Attacks on religious superstitionSupported toleranceSocial, legal, and political reforms
New Social SciencesPhilosophes used Newton’s methods to discover natural lawsLed to social sciences
Economics and Political Science
EconomicsPhysiocrats and Adam Smith
Founders of modern economicsPhysiocrats
French groupInterested in identifying natural economic laws governing human society
Individuals free to pursue own economic self-interest would benefit societyThe state should not interrupt free economics
Gov’t should not impose regulationsState should leave the economy alone
Laissez-FaireFrench for “let the people do what they want
Adam Smith1776 – Wealth of the Nations
State should not interfere in economy
Gov’t has three basic rolesProtect society from invasion – army
Defend citizens from injustice – police
Keep up public works necessary for social interaction and trade
Adam Smith and EconomicsDesire for personal gain drives economic
activityLeads to competition
Competition would benefit societyPrices kept lowerProduction more efficientLabor and capital are directed to profitable industries
Pursuit of self-interest benefits all society
Beccaria on JusticeBy 18th Century, most European states
had developed court systemPunishments were often cruel
Used to deter crime Police force too weak to capture
criminalsOn Crimes and Punishments – 1764
Punishments should not be brutalOpposed capital punishment
The Spread of Ideas1760s introduced a new generation
of philosophesIdeas spread through increasingly
literate society
The Social ContractJean-Jacques Rousseau
Discourse on the Origins of the Inequality of Mankind
People had adopted laws and gov’t to preserve propertyBecame enslaved to gov’t
The Social Contract – 1762Society agrees to be governed by general will of
the peoplePeople that wish to follow own self-interest must
be forced to abide by general will
Rousseau’s BeliefsEmotion and reason were important
to human developmentBalance between heart and mind
Women naturally different from menEducate women for roles as wives and mothers
Learn obedienceSkills necessary to provide loving care for husbands and children
Women’s RightsMary Wollstonecraft
Vindication of the Rights of WomenPeople argued women must obey man Also said gov’t with arbitrary power
over subjects was wrongEnlightenment and rights based on reasonWomen have reasonWomen should have same rights as
men
The Growth of ReadingSpread of ideas to literate people
extremely importantPublishing and literacy rates grew
# of books increasedMagazinesnewspapers
The SalonSalons
Elegant drawing rooms of wealthy upper class’s houses
People gathered there to have conversations about Enlightenment ideasWriters, artists, aristocrats, gov’t
officials, wealthy middle classGave women who hosted events a position of powerMarie-Therese de Geoffrin