EnlightenmeEnlightenmentnt

Ms. Ramos

Characteristics of the Enlightenment

1.1. Rationalism Rationalism reason is the arbiter of all reason is the arbiter of all things. things.

2.2. Cosmology Cosmology a new concept of man, his a new concept of man, his existence on earth, & the existence on earth, & the place of the earth in the place of the earth in the universe. universe.

3.3. Secularism Secularism application of the methods application of the methods ofof science to religion & science to religion & philosophy. philosophy.

4.4. Scientific MethodScientific Method

Mathematical analysisMathematical analysis

ExperimentationExperimentation

Inductive reasoning.Inductive reasoning.

5.5. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism the greatest good for the greatest good for the greatest number. the greatest number.

6.6. Tolerance Tolerance No opinion is worth No opinion is worth burning your neighbor for. burning your neighbor for.

7.7. Optimism & Self-ConfidenceOptimism & Self-Confidence

The belief that man is intrinsically The belief that man is intrinsically good.good.

The belief in social progress.The belief in social progress.

8.8. FreedomFreedom

Of thought and expression.Of thought and expression.

Bring liberty to all men (modern Bring liberty to all men (modern battle against absolutism).battle against absolutism).

9.9. Education of the MassesEducation of the Masses

10.10. Legal ReformsLegal Reforms

Justice, kindness, and charity Justice, kindness, and charity no torture or indiscriminant no torture or indiscriminant incarceration.incarceration.

Due process of law. Due process of law.

11.11. ConstitutionalismConstitutionalism

Written constitutions Written constitutions listing listing citizens, rights.citizens, rights.

12.12. Cosmopolitanism.Cosmopolitanism.

Core Beliefs• Truth discovered through

reason• What is natural, is also good

and reasonable• People can find happiness in

this life• Society and humankind can

progress and improve• People’s liberty should be

protected by the lawMs. Ramos

Enlightenment Philosophers

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Thomas Hobbes• Leviathan

• Life in the state of nature is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”

• Strongest element: passion

• Self-preservation basis of his thought

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• Man against man

• To secure peace- est sovereign pwr not subject to civil law

• Monarchy is most effective

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John Locke• English • Natural rights• Right to overthrow

govt that does not protect “natural” rights• State of nature is not

perpetual warMs. Ramos

Hobbes vs. LockePhilosopher What drives

human behavior?

Best form of government

Hobbes Passion Absolute Monarchy

Locke Reason Constitutionalism

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Baron de Montesquieu

• French

• Separation of powers

• Checks & balances

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Jean Jacques Rousseau• French• Natural goodness

& individual freedom• Govt by “general

will” of the people• Social Contract

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Cesare B. Beccaria• Italian

• Justice system

• Accused had rights

• Advocated abolishing torture

• Govt: greatest good for greatest number of people

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Common Sense• Pierre Bayle’s Historical

and Critical Dictionary

–demolished traditional concepts

• Denis Diderot’s Encyclopedia (1751-1781),

–encapsulated the whole of human knowledge

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• Voltaire’s Philosophical Letters

–encouraged readers to cast off inherited misconceptions

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Émile (1762)

–Argued for new pedagogy (methods of teaching)

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War on traditionDiscuss this one- Don’t copy• Voltaire: Christianity often was

“l’infame,” the detestable thing• Deism– belief in nature’s God who created

universe according to natural laws• John Locke’s Letter Concerning

Toleration– urged openness to all religious

expressions (except Roman Catholicism and atheism)

• Freemasonry– blend of Egyptian polytheism with

medieval guilds and brotherly loveMs. Ramos

Social ContractsDiscuss this one- Don’t copy

• John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government– government contract powered by consent of property

owners

• Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws (1748)– laws evolved to be spirit of a nation– “constitutionalism” should protect freedoms of citizens– “separation of powers” create checks and balances

• Rousseau’s Social Contract (1762)– state guided by “moral and collective body” of individual

citizens

• Jefferson: American Declaration of Independence

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Effects of the Effects of the EnlightenmentEnlightenment

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Enlightenment Ideas:Enlightenment Ideas:

• Encouraged people to use observation to make new discoveries

• Rely on reason

• Question traditional authority

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Enlightenment Enlightenment IdeasIdeas• Spread from Europe to the

Americas• “the philosophes,” create the

mvmt of the Enlightenment–Centered in France and

England, also Scotland, Italy and Netherlands–Kant: “Dare to know!”

• Influenced the American Revolution

Ms. Ramos