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Hobbe's Social Contract
“ Thomas Hobbes expressed
his views in a work called Leviathan (1651)” (Black & Beck 551). English Civil War convinced him that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked. Without governments to keep order, Hobbes said, there would be “war of every man against every man.”. He argued that people had to give up their rights to a strong ruler and in exchange they gained law and order. Creating the Social Contract. -
Locke's Neutral Rights
“ He believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves”
(Black & Beck 551). In 1690, Locke published his ideas, which was 2 years after the Glorious Revolution. Locke believed that people had the ability to govern their own affairs. Locke’s theories had a deep influence on modern political thinking -
"Two Treatises on Government "
“His book, Two Treatises on Government, served to justify the overthrow of James II” (Black & Beck 552). In 1690, His statement that a government’s power comes from the consent of the people is the foundation of modern democracy. The ideas of government by popular consent and the right to rebel against unjust rulers helped inspire struggles for liberty in Europe and the Americas. -
Women and the Enlightenment
“Women writers also tried to improve the status of women.In 1694, the English writer Mary Astell published A Serious Proposal to the Ladies.”(Black & Beck 555).
Mary Astell was the foundation for many other women, in her book she discussed the lack of education as well as the lack of inequality. -
The Philosophers Advocate Reason
“The Enlightenment reached its height in France in the mid-1700s. Paris became the meeting place for people who wanted to discuss politics and ideas”
(Black & Beck 552).
The philosophers believed that people could apply reasons to all aspects of life and then five important concepts were formed. Like believing in Reason, Nature, Happiness, Progress, and Liberty. -
The Enlightenment
“the ideas of the Scientific Revolution paved the way for a new movement called the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason. This movement reached its height in the mid-1700s “
(Black & Beck 551). the Scientific Revolution soon spread beyond
the world of science. Philosophers admired Newton because he had used reason to explain the laws governing nature. People began to look for laws governing human behavior as well. -
Belief in progress
“Philosophes and reformers urged an end to the practice of slavery.”(Black & Beck 556)“They also argued for more social equality and improvements in education. Through reason, a better society was possible.” They wanted to make it a better way to live for everyone and give them all rights and opportunities. -
A More Secular Outlook
“ During the Enlightenment, people began to openly question their religious beliefs and the teachings of the church. Before the Scientific Revolution, people accepted the mysteries of the universe as the mysteries of God. “(Black & Beck 556).
During this time many philosophers had been answering questions people didn’t know the answer too and they local community referred them Go as the answer. These answers really questioned their beliefs because there was science behind it. -
Women and the Enlightenment
“Emilie Du Châtelet was an aristocrat trained as a mathematician and physicist.”(Black & Beck 555).
Emilie Du Chatelet was one of the very few women who was able to receive education.She wanted to influence the idea of science in France and by doing that she translated Newton's work from Latin to French. -
Voltaire's Combats Intolerance
“In 1734, fearing another unpleasant jail term, Voltaire fled Paris. Although he made powerful enemies, Voltaire never stopped fighting for tolerance”(Black & Beck 553).
he published more than 70 books of political
essays, philosophy, history, fiction, and drama. Voltaire often used satire against his opponents. He made frequent targets of the clergy, the aristocracy, and the government. He went against his own opponents -
The Social Contract
“In 1762, he explained his political philosophy in a book called The Social Contract.”(Black & Beck 554) He believed that a good government was to be created by the people. People then agreed to give up some freedom for the “common good”. -
Crimes and Punishment
“In his celebrated book On Crimes and Punishments (1764), Beccaria railed against common abuses of justice”(Black & Beck 554).
He believed that the justice system was for social order, not to avenge crimes. He also believe that how they punished people were wrong. He was against torture and believe that the punishment be based on how serious the crime is. -
Rousseau Argues for Equal Individual
“Rousseau’s ideas inspired many of the leaders of the French Revolution who overthrew the monarchy in 1789.”(Black & Beck 554). Rousseau argued that everyone was an equal individual. Locke believed in the same idea, but Rousseau wanted more in the democracy. -
Women and the Enlightenment
“During the 1700s, other women picked up these themes. Among the most persuasive was Mary Wollstonecraft, who published an essay called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792.”(Black & Beck 555).
Mary Wollstonecraft stated that like men, women need the same education to become successful. She also disagreed with Rousseau idea that women should be the second hand. She believed that women could be doctors instead of nurses and that they could have a voice in politics. -
Impact of the enlightenment
“They examined such principles as the divine right of monarchs, the
union of church and state, and unequal social classes.”(Black & Beck 555).They believed to give rights to those of religion and be able to have the right to believe what they wanted.
