Enlightenment Thinkers
Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau
Ms. Hunt
Unit 4
RMS IB 2012-2013
The Beginning of the Enlightenment
• Early 1700’s
• Every social, political and economic problem
could be solved through the use of reason
Major Enlightenment Ideas
• Governments are created to secure an
orderly society
• Separation of powers
• All men are created “free and equal”
• A free market
The Spread of the Enlightenment
Enlightenment Thinkers
John Locke
Thomas
Hobbes
Social Contract
Thomas Hobbes
•Humans are naturally cruel,
greedy and selfish.
•To escape this “brutish” life
people entered into a social
contract.
•Only a powerful government
could ensure an orderly society.
•Believed only an absolute
monarchy could keep a society
completely orderly.
•Religious Tolerance
John Locke
•Humans are naturally reasonable,
moral and good
•Humans have natural rights: life
liberty and property
•People form governments to
protect natural rights
•Best government was one with
limited power
•If a government violates people’s
natural rights, people have the right
to overthrow government
•Religious tolerance of Christians
Jean Jacques Rousseau
• believed politics and morality
are not separate
• he is considered an opponent
of the Enlightenments
emphasis on reason
• rely more on instinct and
emotion
• government is a contract
between the ruler and citizens
• wrote The Social Contract
Enlightenment and the Economy
• Physiocrats were Enlightenment
thinkers who focused on economic reforms
• Laissez-Faire: allowing business to operate
with little or no government interference
Body Biography- Activity
• Complete the Body Biography
Activity on either Locke, Rousseau,
or Hobbes. You pick!
– Heart- The area where your
philosopher’s heart would show
their view on religion.
– Right Hand- should illustrate
actions and accomplishments.
– Left Hand- should contain the
type of government they
thought was best
– Brain- his belief about the
nature of man
– Left Leg- This should illustrate
their view on the “Social
Contract.”
– Right Leg- how do they influence
today’s society?
– Color - Colors are often
symbolic. What color(s) do you
most associate with your
philosopher? Why? How can you
effectively weave these colors
into your presentation?
– Symbols - What objects can you
associate with your
philosopher? Choose objects
that especially seem to
correspond with the
philosopher.
• LABEL! Label your body biography
with the philosopher’s name and
your name.