The Enlightenment

Roots in the Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution came

about as a result of the Renaissance and continued through the 17th & 18th centuries

It rejected traditional authority and church teachings in favor of direct observation & study of nature

The basis of this revolution was the Scientific Method

Important Figures of Scientific RevolutionScientists began to discover that the motions

of objects could be predicted by mathematicsRobert Boyle is known as the “Father of

Chemistry.”◦He is one of the 1st scientists to perform

controlled experiments and to publish his work in detail

Sir Isaac Newton was the most influential thinker of the Scientific Revolution◦ He connected the speed of falling objects on earth

to the movement of planets: The Law of Gravity◦ Newton’s discovery raised hopes that all of

the universe acted according to certain fixed and fundamental laws.

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment was sparked by the

progress of the scientific revolutionThe Enlightenment was an important 18th

century European movement where thinkers believed by applying reason and scientific laws, people would be better able to understand both nature and one another.

They applied the new scientific method to society and its problems

At the Core of the Enlightenment was a questioning of traditional institutions, customs, and morals

Major ideas QuestionedThe Divine Right of KingsWhere rulers derived their power

fromThe hereditary privileges of the

nobilityThe power of the Catholic ChurchChristianity & ReligionThe Rights of Men

Natural LawsEnlightenment philosophers

believed that nature and society operated according to certain basic universal principles, which they referred to as “natural laws”

They believed people could use their reason to discover these laws and then apply this knowledge to improve their quality of life

Early Enlightenment focus: End Cruelty and excessive Violence Following the Wars of Religion, in

Europe, enlightenment thinkers began to favor religious toleration◦To avoid senseless killing

They, generally, opposed torture

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Born into a time of chaos in EnglandBased his philosophy on his view of the state

of nature◦ Life was nasty, brutish, and short: Individuals

totally self-interested◦ Rabbit example: ________________

Without a strong central authority life would become like the state of nature.

Consequently, Hobbes believed kings were justified in seizing absolute power because only they could act impartially to maintain order in society.

Hobbes wrote Leviathan, justifying his support of an Absolute Monarchy

Hobbes believed that as long as kings kept their population’s safe, they should remain in power.

John Locke (1632-1704)Another famous English philosopherLocke challenged the view of rulers ruling by

Divine RightHe based his view on this state of nature:

◦ Believed individuals were strategically self-interested with an eye to the future

◦ Rabbit example: _____________________◦ Also, individuals are free in this state◦ They only join together in a community to protect

themselves & make a better living◦ The community hands power to government in a

“social contract”Therefore, the main purpose was to protect life,

liberty, and propertyTherefore, he believed people had the right to

revolt when the government abused its power

Voltaire (1694-1778)French Enlightenment

PhilosopherFamous for his wit & humor

in making fun of common beliefs

He supported◦Freedom of religion◦Freedom of expression◦Freedom of trade◦Separation of Church & State

Views were very influential in later revolutions

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

Believed state of nature was peaceful between humans

Thought people should be organized in small groups and should seek a consensus on major decisions

Government, therefore, should express the “General Will” of the people.

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)Wrote the Spirit of

LawsArgued for a

separation of powers in government

Encouraged the development of a system of checks and balances

All ideas centered around the best way to limit abuses of power

Adam Smith (1723-1778)Described Capitalism in his

book, “The Wealth of Nations”Explained how competition and

the division of labor help to guide a free-market economic system based on self-interest

Competing Bakeries◦ Invisible hand of market corrects

problemsArgued that government should

follow a laissez-faire, or “hands off,” policy towards the economy.

Enlightened DespotismEnlightened despots were absolute monarchs

who tried to use Enlightenment ideas to reform their societies “from above.”

They often came from countries without a strong middle-class and they believed it was up to the ruler to introduce positive changes.

They instituted religious tolerance, established scientific academies, and promoted social reform◦ However, they rarely supported the sharing of political

powerExamples include:

◦ Catherine the Great- Russia◦ Frederick the Great- Prussia◦ Joseph II- Austria