Transcript Document
Scientific Revolution and The Enlightenment Scientific Revolution- AKA- “The Age of Reason” Sci. Rev. = new way of examining the world logically Began in 1600s. Height = mid1700’s Paved way for Enlightenment. Key Ideas Enlightenment philosophers admire scientists’ use of reason to understand the natural world. – Enlightened thinkers wanted to use reason to fix problems. Promote reason to understand government, religion, education, and economics. Want to change the government & improve society AOB Resource 1E Important Terms State of nature… No government. Natural rights… What we deserve to have because we exist. AOB Resource 1E Social contract … Individuals must agree to give the gov’t power to make and enforce laws. AOB Resource 1E Right of revolution … The right to take power away from the gov’t if not using it correctly. Enlightened Philosophers Thomas Hobbes Believed people always acted in their own self interest Government needed to keep order Life w/o gov’t = solitary, poor, short. John Locke Thought people were reasonable & had natural ability to govern themselves Purpose of government = protect natural rights of life, liberty, and property Voltaire Tolerance, reason, Freedom of: thought, expression, and religious belief Montesquieu Idea of Separation of Powers (3 branches of government) Checks & Balances- keep any individual or group from gaining complete control of the government Rousseau Viewed government as a Social Contract among free individuals to create a society guided by the “general will” Mary Wollstonecraft Argued for women’s education and political participation Believed women, like men, need education to become upright and useful How did Enlightenment writers and thinkers set the stage for revolutionary movements? Encouraged people – to judge for themselves what was right or wrong in society – Rely on human reason to solve social problems Major Ideas of the Enlightenment Natural Rights – life, liberty, property = Locke Freedom of Thought and Expression = Voltaire Religious Freedom = Voltaire Separation of Powers = Montesquieu Rebellion against corrupt Gov’t is okay = Rousseau Women’s Equality = Wollstonecraft Questions Voltaire is credited with saying: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” What does this statement indicate about Voltaire’s views on free speech? How is it similar to beliefs about free speech in the U.S.? Whose ideas are most like your own? Why? Hobbes – People are selfish, selfserving, and brutal. – Without control, society would be chaotic Locke – People are reasonable and able to make decisions. – People should be able to rule themselves. The End