CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
Philosophy
Placard
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
4 Philosophers Press Conference
Are Human Beings born with rights?
At what point do your freedoms take away freedom from others?
When does the government’s protection of freedoms begin to limit freedoms?
A
Voltaire
(1694-1778)
Nature of Human Beings
Basically evil and should be treated that way.
Believe in Natural Rights
He wondered why the God of the Old testament had
created humans with the capacity for pleasure and
then damned them for using that ability (sinning).
Yes, everyone should have basic liberties of life,
liberty, and property. Those with the ability to
reason will be able to find these rights on their own
without the need to state them.
View of Government
Contribution to Government
Works
Mentioned people massacring each other and
described people as liars, cheats, traitors, weak,
cowardly, drunkards, fanatical, hypocritical, and
silly.
There should only be a king to rule and allow
everyone else to be equal; there would be no nobles
or lords, only the monarch. The people should be
free and equal in society. This idea came from the
English constitutional monarchy, where the people
are equal the monarch serves as more of a
figurehead for the country.
Strong distrust of democracy due to his belief in the
stupidity of the masses (common people).
Candide
CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
Philosophy
Placard
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
B
4 Philosophers Press Conference
Are Human Beings born with rights?
At what point do your freedoms take away freedom from others?
When does the government’s protection of freedoms begin to limit freedoms?
John Locke
(1632-1704)
Nature of Human Beings
Believe in Natural Rights
View of Government
Contribution to Government
Works
Good by nature
When left to choose, humans more often will make
the right/moral/rational decision. Humans are
rational and intelligent.
Yes, he authored the idea. We all have the rights of
life, liberty, and property—which we are born with!
These rights are most important—more important
than the common good (wellbeing of society as a
whole).
People form governments to protect their rights.
This is the only thing governments should do.
Governments should not be made up of nobles and
monarchs, but should be chosen by the people.
Social Contract Theory—Stated that if the
government did not protect the people’s rights (hold
up its end of the contract) then the people could
overthrow that government.
Two Treatise on Government
CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
Philosophy
Placard
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
4 Philosophers Press Conference
Are Human Beings born with rights?
At what point do your freedoms take away freedom from others?
When does the government’s protection of freedoms begin to limit freedoms?
C
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
(1712-1778)
Nature of Human Beings
Believe in Natural Rights
View of Government
Contribution to Government
Works
Naturally good, but corrupted and enslaved by
society. When humans are around others, they
become more and more selfish and pursue only
their own desires if it is left for them to decide.
Yes, but some of them must be given up to the
government. Common good (wellbeing of society
as a whole) is more important than the single rights
of individuals.
Government has a duty to exist only in order to
secure common good (wellbeing of society as a
whole). If government does not do this, they must
be overthrown by the people.
Government does not have to be of nobles and
monarchs.
The Social Contract—Stated that government
involved in the social contract must follow the will
of the people (common good). If not, the contract
is broken.
The Social Contract
CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
3 Philosophers Press Conference
Preparation Handout
Topic: 3 Philosophers
Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire
Panel Member
Question
Template
Panel Member: One must be filled out per philosopher.
Create and answer ten questions for your specific philosopher to use during the questioning session of the Press Conference. These questions
should be specific to your philosopher. The questions should help you prepare to answer the questions your classmates will ask you. Use the
questions that your group creates as a starting point for creating your questions.
My Group’s Philosopher is: __________________________________________________
My partners are: _____________________________________________________
Questions
Answers
Q1
A1
Q2
A2
Q3
A3
Q4
A4
Q5
A5
Q6
A6
Q7
A7
Q8
A8
Q9
A9
Q10
A10
CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
Quiz
Standard 1b
Class II Minor Assessment
Name_______________________________________Date____________Period_________________
Write the most appropriate answer in the provided blank at the bottom of the page. All answers must be
written in blue or black ink—NO PENCILS! Spelling counts, so spell correctly.
1) Which of the 3 philosophers studied had the least faith in the common man?
2) Which of the 3 philosophers studied had the most faith in the common man?
3) If the government does not protect the rights of citizens, ______ said that the people have the right to
overthrow the government.
4) If the government does not protect the common good of the people, ______ said that the people have the right
to overthrow the government.
5) Who stated that the protection of natural rights should be the highest priority of government?
6) Who would agree that some natural rights need to be given up to ensure common good?
7) Who would most support a monarchy?
8) Who wrote The Social Contract?
9) Who wrote Two Treatise on Government?
10) Who wrote Candide?
Answers: Only answers written on these lines will be counted.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________________________________________________
CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
3 Philosophers Press Conference
My Philosophy
My
Philosophy
Assignment
Topic: 3 Philosophers
Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire
Directions: Using the knowledge you have gained in the previous activities, you must create your own
political philosophy. This is an individual task, so you are responsible for this and may have no assistance
from other students. You may use your “3 Philosophers DRC” for assistance.
Your philosophy may be displayed in one of the following formats: (Circle the format you choose)

Written Speech: This will involve the written account of your political philosophy to be issued to an
audience of political philosophers.

Written Letter: This will involve a written letter to one of the studied political philosophers from the
recent lesson. In your letter you must discuss your areas of agreement and disagreement with this
philosopher. Be sure to adhere to letter format for this assignment.
All of the above options for this assignment must include the following 5 topics as related to your overall
philosophy. Remember, your ultimate goal in this lesson is to answer the Essential Question: What is the
most appropriate amount of government control over the populace? Be sure to answer the essential
question as a means of conclusion to your work.
Requirements
Nature of Human
Beings
Believe in Natural
Rights
View on Government
Contribution to
Government
Works
Are we naturally good or naturally evil? If we are naturally good, does society
corrupt us? If we are not naturally evil, are we at least selfish? With which
philosophers do you most agree/disagree?
Do all human being have natural rights or should these be given up for the
greater good? If we have these, how can they be best protected? If we do not
have these, why should they be sacrificed?
Why do governments exist? Should governments ever be overthrown? If so, for
what reasons? If not, explain why governments should be absolute.
What has been the greatest contribution to modern government of these 3
philosophers and why is that the greatest contribution?
Which (of the 3 we have studied) work do you think has had the greatest impact
on the American system of government as it is today?
Your answer to the essential question: What were the major ideas of the Enlightenment and how did
they shape political ideas? Based on your philosophy, how would you answer the essential question?
CQ: How did the Age of Revolutions and
Rebellions impact world views?
EQ: What were the major ideas of the
Enlightenment and how did they shape
political ideas?
Final Project: 3 Philosophers
My Philosophy
Topic: 3 Philosophers
Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire
My
Philosophy
Assignment
Which of these three would you most agree with and why?
You must include: An answer to all questions listed under “Requirements” on the front, in the format you
choose from the front. Be sure to highlight all SFI as you include it to earn full credit.
Remember, you MUST include why you believe what you believe, who you agree with, and who you don’t
agree with! (Class III Grade)
My Philosophy: Final Draft
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Grading: Your opinion is discussed in regard to these in a cohesive essay. Include and highlight all SFI below. Must have WHY or no points!
10 Points per item

“belief in natural rights”

Common People

Monarchy

“view of the government.”

Locke

Rousseau

Social Contract

Voltaire

Government

Common Good
CQ: How did the Age of Revoltuions and Rebellions impact
world views?
EQ: What were the major ideas of the Enlightenment and
how did they shape political ideas?
Nature of Human
Beings
John
Locke
Jean
Jacques
Rousseau
Voltaire
Philosopher
DRC
Standard 1b
Topic: 3 Philosophers
Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire
3 Philosophers Data Retrieval Chart (DRC)
Believe in Natural
Rights
View of Government
Contribution to
Government
Works