The Enlightenment
The Age of Reason
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, grew out of the
Scientific Revolution of the 1500s and 1600s
If scientists could understand the physical world using
reason, then reason could also be used to discover natural
laws, which govern human nature.
Prior to the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution, how
did Europeans answer questions about the world they lived
in?
The Church and Government
Achieving Heaven on Earth
Enlightened thinkers believed they could
solve all the social, political and economic
problems using reason. They were known as
philosophes.
Enlightened thinkers’ ideas were shaped by
the times they lived in, characterized by
political and religious upheaval.
During the Enlightenment there were many
philosophers who wrote on the relationship
between the government and the masses.
Thomas Hobbes
According to Hobbes people
are naturally cruel, greedy,
and selfish. If not strictly
controlled people will fight,
steal and oppress others.
The role of government is to strictly enforce laws
to prevent the natural human state from taking
over. Hobbes said that people gave up their
natural state in return for an organized state
headed by a powerful government. This
arrangement was called the Social Contract.
Hobbes supported rule by Absolute Monarchs
Hobbes wrote his ideas in the book entitled
The Leviathan.
John Locke
People are basically moral and reasonable. They want
to do the right thing.
Additionally, Humans are born with Natural Rights:
Life
Liberty
Property
Government exists at the consent of the
governed to protect their rights. If the
government fails to protect these rights, the
contract is broken and the people may
change or replace the government.
He wrote Two Treatises of Government
stressing the best governments had
limited power. John Locke’s ideas would
help inspire the nations looking to
revolt.
John Locke
“Freedom of men under government is
to have a standing rule to live by,
common to every one of that society,
and made by the legislative power
vested in it; a liberty to follow my own
will in all things, when the rule
prescribes not, and not to be subject to
the inconstant, unknown, arbitrary will
of another man.”
-John Locke, Two Treatises of Government
What does John Locke mean by this quote?
Laws should be consistent, not subject to change based on the
desires of the king or others.
Montesquieu
A Political writer, Montesquieu criticized absolute
monarchies. He admired Britain's limited monarchy
and said it protected people’s rights.
Montesquieu believed having 3 branches in government
would prevent tyranny:
-Executive (the boss)
-Legislative (makes the laws)
-Judicial (judges and courts)
These 3 branches could check each other
and split power.
Voltaire
Voltaire used witty writing to expose the abuses of his
day. He exposed corrupt politicians and religious
leaders. He wrote against the slave trade and religious
prejudice.
His writings angered government and church officials.
He was imprisoned and forced into exile. To stop his
ideas from spreading his books and writings were
outlawed and burned.
“I do not agree with a word that you say, but I will
defend to the death your right to say it”
-Voltaire
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Believes people are basically good, but the evils of
society corrupts their natural innocence. The social
evils include problems such as the unequal distribution
of property.
Rousseau stressed the importance of the common
good which is decided by the general public.
Man is born free, and yet every where
he is in chains
-Rousseau. The Social Contract
He wrote The Social Contract where he says the
government is in place because people allow it to make
decisions for the common good.
Enlightenment for Women
The Natural Rights envisioned by
the enlightened thinkers did not
extend to women. Instead, women’s
natural rights were limited to the
areas of home and family.
Some women exposed to
enlightened philosophy through the
Salons or meeting places.
Prominent and wealthy women
would host informal parties where
enlightened thinkers could gather
and discuss.
New Economic Systems
Along with trying to solve the political problems of the day,
many enlightened thinkers attempted to solve the economic
problems. These thinkers were called physiocrats.
These thinkers reject Mercantilism and promote
Laissez Faire economic practices. In a laissez faire
economy the government does not interfere with the
operations of business.
Adam Smith
In his book The Wealth of Nations, Smith
argued for the free market without
government interference. He believed supply
and demand should run the market. His ideas
are still influential in economic discussions
today.
Effects
Before
The public accepted without
question a society based on
divine rule, a strict class
system, and heavenly rewards
for earthly suffering
After
Enlightened thinkers challenge
governments to protect the
people’s rights and interests,
believe social class should be
flexible and desire material
wealth and happiness on
earth.
Enlightened Ideas Spread
Theories from enlightened thinkers spread rapidly through the
distribution of pamphlets and books. These thinkers were primarily
concerned
-the relationship between people and their government
-exposing the abuses of church and political leaders
-using reason and natural law to answer life’s questions.
Salons
Many philosophers met during Salons, parties hosted by wealthy members of
society. Attendance included the best thinkers and artists of the
Enlightenment period. The Salons were usually hosted by women, thus the
philosophers were forced to speak in an easy vernacular to ensure
understanding.
Censorship
The government and church felt they had a duty to prevent
the spread of enlightened thought and preserve the “Old
Order”. They began a war of censorship. They burned books
and imprisoned popular enlightenment thinkers. Some
figures, such as Voltaire, were forced into exile.
Despite attempts to censor
enlightened thought, ideas of reason
and questioning the old order
continued to spread.
Enlightened Despots
Some rulers embraced the ideas of the
enlightenment to expand their rule.
Fredrick the great adopted the idea of
“Common Good” to tighten his control
over his kingdom and subjects
Queen Catherine the Great made
several reforms to the laws in Russia.
She also spoke against serfdom, but
ultimately she continued to expand her
own power.
The Arts
The music of this time period follows was structured and organized, suitable
for the age of reason. Some of the most famous artists and musicians from
the time period include
Rembrandt van Rijn
Johann Sebastian Bach
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Review Questions
Which statement represents a key idea directly
associated with John Locke’s Two Treatises of
Government?
(1) Freedom of speech should be denied.
(2) The king’s power on Earth comes from God.
(3) All people are born with the right to life,
liberty, and property.
(4) Individuals acting in their own self-interest
will achieve economic success.
Review Questions
Writers of the Enlightenment were primarily interested
in:
1. Changing the relationship between people and their
government
2. Supporting the Divine Right Theory
3. Debating the role of church in society
4. Promoting increased power for European monarchs
Review Questions
Which statement best describes a change that occurred
during both the Renaissance and the Enlightenment?
1. Feudalism became the dominant political system
2. The use of reason and logic were discouraged
3. Technology and science were considered unimportant
4. A new questioning spirit and attitude