Enlightenment“Age of Reason”

ThesisIndividuals used the proven

problem solving methods from the Scientific Revolution to discover similar truths about politics.

Rene DescartesFrance

Philosophy

Discourse on Method

"I think therefore I am“

Search for "Truth"

Rationalism

Sir Francis Bacon

Great Britain

Philosophy

Observation and ideas based on thorough investigation of the evidence

Scientific Method

The Scientific Method Song:

State the problem

Make a prediction

Experiment, Experiment

Record Observations, Record Observations

Form a conclusion, Form a conclusion

*Sung to the tune of Fere Jacques

Thomas HobbesEnglish political

thinkerWrote the LeviathanStated that

◦ Humans cannot be trusted

◦ Powerful governments are needed to keep people safe.

◦ Humans enter into a social contract with society in order to be kept safe.

◦ Government should control the people.

John LockeEnglish political thinkerWrote Two Treatises on

GovernmentStated that

◦ Government is created to protect a person’s natural rights

◦ Every human has the rights to life, liberty and property

◦ If a government fails to protect a person’s natural rights, the government can be overthrown

◦ People should control the government.

Baron de MontesquieuFrench political

thinkerWrote The Spirit of

the LawsStated that

◦ Government should be separated into different branches to divide the power of government.

◦ Different governmental braches should have checks on each other to keep these branches from abusing their power.

VoltaireFrench political

thinkerWrote many works

and had to use a pseudonym to protect his life from persecution

Stated that◦ People should be free

to worship as they see fit

◦ People should be able to say what they want without fear on injury

Denis DiderotFrench political

thinkerEditor of The

EncyclopediaStated…nothing

◦ His work was a collection of various Enlightenment works all in one place.

◦ This allowed the ideas of the Enlightenment to be spread.

Adam SmithScottish economic

philosopherWrote The Wealth of

NationsStated that

◦ Government should not be involved in business or trade. Laissez-Faire economics

◦ The market will regulate itself The “invisible hand”

The founder of capitalism

Adam Smith’s Supply & Demand Schedule

Advanced Supply & Demand

Cesare BeccariaItalian political

philosopherWrote On Crimes

and PunishmentStated that

◦ The death penalty does not work at preventing crime.

Jean-Jacques RousseauFrench political

philosopherWrote The Social

ContractStated that

◦ Developed the basic ideas for socialism.

◦ Socialism: The will of the majority is more important than the individual.

Mary WollstonecraftEnglish political

philosopherWrote A Vindication

of the Rights of Women

Stated that ◦ Women can be

positive contributors to society if they are educated.

Madame de GeoffrinFrench political socialiteHeld meetings in her home to

discuss Enlightenment thought.Held in salons