Lesson 2 - The Enlightenment Philosophes
Review from last class (The Old Regime)
Introduction
Activity
Homework
Introduction
- Hobbes and Locke conceived the concepts that developed in 17th century politics and set the terms of the debate for eighteenth-century Philosophes.
- The Philosophes used a rational approach to thinking about the nature of man based on reason, not on folk beliefs, authority, or religion.
- The ideas that the Philosophes held on human nature played a role in forming theories of government.
- Holding a particular viewpoint on the nature of humanity formed the basis for developing politics and styles of government in England and France.
- The three basic tenents of the French Philosophes are:
- Human society is governed by Natural Laws.
- These Natural Laws can be discovered by rational men.
- Human society can turn from traditional authoritarian forms, and progress toward a more perfect government through rational thought.
- Montesquieu, after staying in England for couple of years, came to respect the British political system. That the ruler had to work with elected parliaments. These ideas were not popular with European monarchs that were reluctant to give up any power.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that society needed a social contract, in which everyone would abide by certain rules. Each citizen would have to agree to what the majority wanted.
- Voltaire, was against the Church, and for freedom of thought. He believed that for the most part, absolute monarchy was good for society. However, he hated injustice, often defending people where victims of bigotry and superstition.
Activity
- Read the following articles on Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
- On a piece of paper, make note of their views on human nature.
Homework
- Read pg. 68-69 in Crossroads.