The Age of
Enlightenment
Origins of the Enlightenment
Science
 Newton’s Principia
 If the universe could
be explained by math,
then how about:
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Human Behavior?
Politics?
Religion?
Origins of the Enlightenment
Religion
 Deism – God is
distant and
uninvolved
 Pantheism – God and
nature are the same
 God’s works will be
revealed through
science, not scripture
Characteristics of The Enlightenment
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Rationalism – reason in all things
Secularism – science in religion
Utilitarianism – greatest good for the
greatest number
Tolerance (As long as you are a white
man)
Optimism – man is good
Freedom – end of absolutism
Constitutionalism – written rights
Thomas Hobbes & John Locke
Hobbes
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Poor
English
Oxford
Well Traveled
Man is evil
Locke
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Rich
English
Oxford
Well Traveled
Man is good
Social Contract
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The agreements by which people form
nations and maintain a social order
People agree to give up some rights to the
government to receive social order
Thomas Hobbes
“From the equality of
ability arises the
equality of hope in
the attaining of our
ends…if any two men
desire the same
thing…they become
enemies.”
Thomas Hobbes
“From the equality of
ability arises the
equality of hope in
the attaining of our
ends…if any two men
desire the same
thing…they become
enemies.”
Hobbes
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Without law we’d live
like animals
Without government
we’d live in a state of
nature
So…
Only a powerful
government (absolute
monarch) could
ensure an orderly
society
John Locke
“The state of nature
has a law of nature to
govern it which
obliges every one…
No one ought to harm
another in his life,
health, liberty and
possessions…”
John Locke
“The state of nature
has a law of nature to
govern it which
obliges every one…
No one ought to harm
another in his life,
health, liberty and
possessions…”
Rights
 A claim to have
or obtain
something
Natural Rights
 Life – freedom
from threats
 Liberty –
freedom from
domination
 Property –
freedom for
economic gain
Locke
Locke
Government
 Cannot exist without the consent of the
governed
 Should have limited power
 The people can overthrow a government if:
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The people anticipate it will soon fail
It violates people’s natural rights