ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS

“The Age of Reason”

KEY TERMS1. Baron de Montesquieu: Created idea of

separation of powers in government.2. Enlightened Despot: A Monarch who

believed in the ways of thinking and equal rights.

3. Enlightenment: new ideas which stressed equality of all and democracy.

4. Galileo Galilei: Developed Heliocentric Model.

5. Heliocentric Model: Sun is center of universe.

6. Human Nature: Man’s natural state.7. Jean Jacques Rousseau: Believed in a

“contract” between the ruler and the ruled.

KEY TERMS8. John Locke: Humans have the right to

life, liberty, and property. Natural Rights.

9. Natural Rights: the right to life, liberty, property.

10. Recant: to “take back” a belief in the eyes of the Church.

11. Rene Descartes: “I think, therefore I am”.

12. Scientific Method: Steps to take to “prove” a hypothesis.

13. Scientific Revolution: science sought “laws” which govern the physical world.

KEY TERMS14. The Social Contract: written by

Rousseau, states that men should revolt against leaders who do not protect their liberties.

15. Thomas Hobbes: Author of Leviathan. Believed man must be ruled by an absolutist.

16. Voltaire: believed in freedom of speech, freedom of religion.

The Scientific Revolution Scientists found

“natural laws” which govern the world. (ex.gravity)

Believed in facts based on OBSERVATION.

Sir Francis Bacon: Scientific Method. Prove theory based on OBSERVATION.

*Galileo’s “Heliocentric Model” based on Observation of planetary orbits. Proves theory of Copernicus.

*Forced to RECANT by the Church*Writings are officially changed to deny

Heliocentrism.

Sir Isaac Newton develops 3 laws of Physics. Sir Francis Bacon develops the “Scientific

Method” All come into conflict with the Catholic

Church.

Enlightenment Philosophers believe reason will lead to “laws” which govern the Human World the same way they govern the Scientific world.

Through Reason, all social / economic /political problems could be solved.

First questions to answer is: What is the Nature of Humans? Who are we?

The Scientific Revolution leads to the “Enlightenment”

PARIS—18TH CENTURY

SALONS: CENTER OF ENLIGHTENMENT THINKING

Philosopher

Belief Belief Belief

Hobbes

Locke

Montesquieu

Voltaire

Rousseau

THOMAS HOBBES Author of The

Leviathan. Believes Man’s nature is evil and chaotic.

In a state of nature, life will be “brutish, nasty, and short.”

Thinks people NEED powerful absolutist leaders.

John Locke DISAGREES WITH HOBBES People are GOOD. Are ALL entitled to

Natural Rights. ***Life, Liberty, Property*** Need Limited Leaders who will protect

those rights.

Baron De Montesquieu Writes: The Spirit of Laws Wants Limited Monarchies

(Glorious Rev.) Separation of Powers,

Checks/BalancesEXECUTIVE

JUDICIALLEGISLATIVE

Voltaire Defends Freedom of

Speech, Religion.

Attacks Divine Right, organized Religion, Church.

”I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau The SOCIAL CONTRACT

“Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”

If Leader violates “Contract”, they must be removed.

Calls for REVOLUTION to gain rights.

Philosopher

Belief Belief

Hobbes

Locke

Montesquieu

Voltaire

Rousseau