PhilosophesPhilosophes

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes

Believed humans were selfish and greedy and Believed humans were selfish and greedy and needed government to impose orderneeded government to impose order

Social Contract = people sacrifice some Social Contract = people sacrifice some freedoms to a strong ruler to maintain law and freedoms to a strong ruler to maintain law and orderorder

Purpose of government is to keep citizens Purpose of government is to keep citizens under control through a strong ruler (absolute under control through a strong ruler (absolute monarchy)monarchy)

English, 1651 The Leviathan (sea monster) English, 1651 The Leviathan (sea monster) compared government with awesome powercompared government with awesome power

John LockeJohn Locke English, humans were naturally reasonable, English, humans were naturally reasonable,

learn from experience and improve learn from experience and improve independence.independence.

People born free and equal with natural rights; People born free and equal with natural rights; life, liberty, propertylife, liberty, property Purpose of government = protect natural Purpose of government = protect natural

rights and govern according to consent of the rights and govern according to consent of the peoplepeople

If government failed to protect natural rights If government failed to protect natural rights citizens had right to overthrow government citizens had right to overthrow government and establish a new social contractand establish a new social contract

Foundation for modern democracyFoundation for modern democracy Inspired revolutions in Europe and AmericasInspired revolutions in Europe and Americas

Baron de MontesquieuBaron de Montesquieu Video Enlightenment Philosophers 3:22 minVideo Enlightenment Philosophers 3:22 min British best form of government. British best form of government.

Why?Why? Separation of power among three Separation of power among three

branchesbranches Legislative, executive, judicialLegislative, executive, judicial System of checks and balanceSystem of checks and balance flocabulary 3 branchesflocabulary 3 branches Wrote “Spirit of the Laws” 1748Wrote “Spirit of the Laws” 1748

RousseauRousseau ““Man is born free, and Man is born free, and

everywhere he is in chains.”everywhere he is in chains.” People are born good but People are born good but

environment, education, and laws environment, education, and laws corrupt themcorrupt them

Government should be formed Government should be formed and guided by the general will of and guided by the general will of society. Popular sovereigntysociety. Popular sovereignty

Wrote “The Social Contract” 1762Wrote “The Social Contract” 1762 People give up some freedom for People give up some freedom for

the common good of allthe common good of all

VoltaireVoltaire Wrote “Candide”, “Philosopical Wrote “Candide”, “Philosopical

Letters”Letters” Believed that freedom of speech Believed that freedom of speech

was best weapon against bad gov.was best weapon against bad gov. Spoke out against catholic churchSpoke out against catholic church Believed in separation of church Believed in separation of church

and stateand state How is this exercised in our society?How is this exercised in our society?

Adam SmithAdam Smith Scottish economist 1776 The Wealth of Scottish economist 1776 The Wealth of

NationsNations Applied enlightened law to economicsApplied enlightened law to economics Individuals act in their own self-interest to Individuals act in their own self-interest to

create economic interestcreate economic interest Became known as laissez-faireBecame known as laissez-faire

Believed in free market ideas of supply and Believed in free market ideas of supply and demanddemand

Laissez faire = lazy government. Laissez faire = lazy government. Government hands-off with business and Government hands-off with business and industry ownesindustry ownes

Prior to this monarchs control economic Prior to this monarchs control economic lifelife

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft EnglishEnglish Despite advances for natural rights, Despite advances for natural rights,

women ignored.women ignored. Wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of

Women”Women” Fought for equal education opportunities Fought for equal education opportunities

for women for women People who support defend and establish People who support defend and establish

equal rights for women are called ?equal rights for women are called ? suffragetessuffragetes

Denis DiderotDenis Diderot

Edited the encyclopediaEdited the encyclopedia28 volumes28 volumesCriticized government, Criticized government, church, slave trade, church, slave trade, taxes, and wartaxes, and war

Reaction to PhilosophesReaction to Philosophes

Absolute Monarchs Absolute Monarchs banned or censored banned or censored the writingsthe writings

Clergy preached Clergy preached against themagainst them