Enlightenment

Ideas of Enlightenment Thought:

- The universe can be understood through reason

- Human experience is the basis for understanding the truth

- Religion has no place in the understanding of the physical universe

John Locke (1630s-1700s)

Locke believed people could learn and improve themselves through their experiences

Believed in the idea that all people are born with 3 basic natural rights: life, liberty, and property

and that the purpose of government is to protect these rights

A government’s power comes from the people

John Locke

P. 485 Locke's Two Treatises of Civil

Government were published after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

In this work Locke gives us a theory of natural law and natural rights which he uses to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate civil governments, and to argue for the legitimacy of revolt against tyrannical governments.

John Locke

Locke wrote on a variety of other topics Among the most important of these is toleration.

Henry VIII had created a Church of England when he broke with Rome. This Church was the official religion of England. Catholics and dissenting Protestants were subject to legal prosecution.

In a "Letter Concerning Toleration" and several defenses of that letter Locke argues for a separation between church and state.

John Locke

His Ideas: Natural rights—life,

liberty, and property

Right to rebel

For the individual use reason to

search after truth rather than simply accept the opinion of authorities.

John Locke

Impact: Fundamental to

U. S. Declaration of Independence

Voltaire

Used satire to attack the French government and clergy

Fought for tolerance, reason, and the freedoms of religion and speech

Used his writings to defend his beliefs

“I may disapprove of what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire

Voltaire

In his book Philosophical Letters, he was impressed with the British political system of 3 branches of government

He became famous as a champion of religious freedom and freedom of thought

Voltaire

His Ideas:

Freedom of thought and expression

Religious freedom

Voltaire

Impact: Guaranteed in U.S.

Bill of Rights, & French Declaration or Rights of Man, European monarchs reduce or eliminate censorship

European monarchs reduce persecution

Rousseau

Wrote “The Social Contract” in which he discussed the role of the people and government, and that all people were equal

Called for the end of nobility which helped to spark the French Revolution

Rousseau

People are naturally good, but that environment, education, and laws corrupt them

Good government must be based on popular sovereignty

Did not trust reason Opposed a strong

government which set him apart from others

Rousseau Most philosophies

disliked absolute monarchy.

They favored enlightened despotism The absolute monarch

would rule but according to the principles of the Enlightenment

His ideas on government and individual freedom became most influential during the later years of the Enlightenment

Rousseau

His Ideas:

Legitimate power comes from the people

Rousseau

Impact: Fundamental

to U.S. Declaration of Independence

U.S. Constitution

American Revolution