ENLIGHTENMENT

1. ENLIGHTENMENT Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment. Lao Tzu

2. Objectives • Explain the ideas of the philosophes • Connection to the Scientific Revolution • Analyze the impact of the sci. rev. on the Enlightenment • Voltaire

3. Connections Scientific Revolution showed the power/success of human reason People apply human reason to natural laws (laws that govern human nature) led to - revolution in thinking = Enlightenment

4. Newton • Last of the great figures of the Sci. Rev. • Or 1st in the Enlightenment • Newton’s laws were starting point for investigating everything in nature • Used reason to solve: • social • political • economic problems

5. The Philosophes Philosophes: lovers of wisdom Concentrated on: Welfare of society Freedom of individual Happiness of humanity Used reason to make reforms to government, law & society Completely different ideas than the Absolute rulers of the time. Think critically: HOW? Be able to give examples.

6. Philosophes’ Ideas • Nature • Took Newton and other scientists’ ideas of natural laws and applied them to social interaction • economics and government. • Laissez faire & balance of powers • Reason • Move toward liberty & away from intolerance & prejudice

7. Other ideas • Happiness: • Lived by nature’s laws, you would find happiness. • No need to wait for happiness - heaven • Live in happiness, not misery! • Progress: • Belief society & humankind could be perfected • Using science • Liberty: • Believed that society could be set free. • Liberty is necessary to be happy

8. Voltaire • Criticized Fr. gov’t, laws, and Christianity • Was locked in the Bastille (French jail) & was exiled • Most famous writing: Candide, • Satire – use of wit and sarcasm to criticize • Prejudice • Inequality • injustice • Gov. & laws • basically everything he didn’t like

9. Right of Rebellion People - no right to rebel against their govt. Human Nature Humans are wicked so they must be protected Naturally cruel, selfish If not controlled = fight & steal Right of Rebellion People oppressed by their govt. every right to rebel Human Nature Humans are reasonable so they can make good decisions about how to govern Free will Obedience because it is right not out of fear Hobbes vs Locke

10. Role of Government Govts. protect ppl from their own wickedness & selfishness Role of Monarch One ruler should have absolute power to keep society from falling into disorder Role of Government Govts. protect 3 basic rights Life, liberty & property Role of Monarch The ruler has a duty to protect these basic rights Hobbes vs Locke

11. Hobbes – Social Contract • Agreement • B/w the leader & his people • Give up rights for • Protection • Organized society • How does this apply to governments today • Give up taxes and freedom • For security

12. Montesquieu (1689-1755) The Best government: • Separate the powers of the Govt. • ensured freedom & liberty. • Legislative: make laws • Executive: enforce laws • Judicial: interpret laws • Politically balanced • Checks & balances: (each branch serves as a check on the other branches) • “Power should be a check to power”

13. Rousseau (1712-1778) • Individual Freedom • People are naturally good • innocence was corrupted by the evils of society • “Men are born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” • The Social Contract, 1762. • Agreement among free individuals • Hobbes: society & government • The best government • Formed by the people • Consent of the governed • Direct democracy

14. Beccaria • Italian Philosophe • Laws exist to preserve order • NOT to avenge crimes • Criticized abuses of justice • Accused should have • Speedy trial • Punishment should fit the crime • Never torture

15. Mary Wollstonecraft • Philosophes challenged assumptions • But: Traditional view toward women • Education: teach how to be wife & mother • Wollstonecraft • Increased Rights for Women • Education for Women = Men • Women Should enter male-dominated fields • Politics & medicine

16. Questions • What is government supposed to ensure? • What are the 3 branches of govt & what do each do? • Rousseau believed people were naturally what? • What did Rousseau write and his idea of the best form of government? • Beccaria believed laws existed for what purpose and if you were in trouble with the law, what 3 things should you get? • What did Wollstonecraft fight for?

17. To Do: Write these questions down, write your answer to each question and be ready to discuss tomorrow Security vs. Freedom • Are you willing to give up any Freedoms in Exchange for better protection from terrorism? • The police believe a person has brought a gun to school. Would you allow the police to search your school bag & lockers? • A person takes books out of the library on bomb making. What should the librarian do? • Several Mid. Eastern males are boarding a plane at O’Hare airport. Should they have to go through extra security?

18. Salons • Wealthy wmn held mtgs in their homes • Philosophes discussed ideas • Marie-Therese Geoffrin • Was a “patron” to the thinkers • So why are they important? • Gave Enlightenment thinkers a place to share ideas • Provided Enlightenment thinkers w/support

19. Denis Diderot (1713-1784) • All things must be examined, debated, investigated w/o exception & w/o regard for anyone’s feelings. • We will speak against senseless laws until they are reformed.

20. Created 28 vol. Encyclopedia Gathered articles on human knowledge Articles by thinkers of the day against slavery urged for education for all praised freedom of expression Widely denounced by govts & church Diderot’s Encyclopédie

21. Despotism • Form of govt by which a single entity rules w/ absolute & unlimited power • Many philosophes believed best govt was: • Monarchy • Respected people’s rights • Try to convince rulers to rule justly

22. Enlightened Despots • Enlightened Despots • Embraced new ideas • Made reforms • True Reformers? • Just wanted their countries to be stronger

23. Montesquieu & Despotism • The diff. b/w monarchy & despotism: • Monarchy - a single person governs by fixed and established laws • Despot - governs by his own will

24. Fredrick the Great - Ruled Prussia Committed to reform Religious freedom Reduced censorship Increased education Abolished torture “the first servant of the state Changes only went so far Serfdom wrong But didn’t end it Needed support of the nobles Catherine the Great - Ruled Russia Formed commission to review laws Religious toleration Abolishing torture Abolishing capital punishment Changes only went so far Commission accomplished none of the goals Did nothing to change life of peasants After a revolt – she gave noble absolute power over them Enlightened Despots

25. The “Great Debate” Reason& Logic Traditions VS • justice • tolerance • Liberty • Absolute monarchy • Religion - church • habit

26. The Legacy of the Enlightenment? • Belief in Progress • Opened door for growth in sci. • New discoveries • Confidence that humans could solve social probs • More secular society (non-religious) • Openly question church • Promote tolerance of all religions

27. The Legacy of the Enlightenment? 3. Importance of the individual • Use own ability to reason to judge right & wrong • Turn away from the church • Art, literature, & music offered new expressions & sounds: Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn • YouTube - Beethoven Symphony No.9 • YouTube - Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, organ 4. Revolutions • democratic revs begun in America in 1776 & in Paris in the late 1780s