Chapter 5 Enlightenment

Thomas Hobbes - What kind of government did he think best and why?

A ruler that has absolute authority - monarchy or dictatorship He tried to give a rational basis for absolute (unlimited rule by king)

Voltaire - What is Candide?

A Candide was one of Voltaire's most famous books which was a humorous novel. It makes fun of the world & of the religion. He was making fun of the king & religion

Thomas Hobbes

Absolute rule of Kings

Jean Jacques Rousseau - In his book, The Social Contract he outlines the following ideas. What are they?

All beings are born equal Majority Rules The Common Good The General Will

Baron de Montesquieu - How does his system operate from a check and balance perspective?

Each branch of government checked (limited) the powers of other. The three branches should be separate but equal at the same time. The legislative branch chooses law then the judicial branch chooses if the law is good then the executive branch passes it through.

Jean Jacques Rousseau - The Common Good

Each one is giving himself to all, gives himself to none. For whereas here is no associate to whom one does not concede the same rights which he concede himself. refers to either what is shared & beneficial for all or most members of a given community, or alternatively, what is achieved by citizenship, collective action, and active participation in the realm of politics and public service

How does the Scientific Revolution help start the Enlightenment?

Enlightenment thinking grew out of the science revolution. They asked questions that had to do with it.

Jean Jacques Rousseau - All beings are born equal

Every human is born free - no matter what our class is everyone is equal

Cesare Beccaria - What practices in the justice system upset Beccaria?

He was upset by the harsh practices that were common in his days. Torture was often used to get confessions from accused statements or people from witnesses to a crime. Trials were private & secretive.

Cesare Beccaria - In Beccaria's book, On Crimes and Punishments, he shared his ideas on how criminals should be treated. What were his main ideas?

His main ideas were to stop people from committing crimes, punishment did not have to be brutal. It had to be a certain & just severe enough to outweigh the potential benefits of the crime.

John Locke - What did he say should happen if the government does not do its job?

If the government failed to respect people's rights, the government could be overthrown overthrow or rebel - usually not violently

John Locke - In his book, Two Treatises of Government, Locke argued that governments should only exist with the consent, or approval of whom?

In the book, he offered a theory that the government justified Parliaments actions - All the people getting governed

Jean Jacques Rousseau - Majority Rules

It's a decision rule that selects alternatives which have a majority, which is more than half the votes. Whoever gets the most votes wins. - needs o think of the general will & the common good

Thomas Hobbes - book

Leviathan

Baron de Montesquieu - According to Montesquieu, what might happen if government did not use this idea?

Liberty would soon be lost if they didn't use his idea. If you give to much power to an individual they would abuse it.

John Locke - According to Locke, what was the purpose of government?

Locke favored constitutional monarchy which is a basic set of laws that limits the ruler's power. The purpose of government was to protect people's natural rights. Three rights - life, liberty & property.

The Enlightenment refers to natural laws and natural rights? What do these terms mean?

Natural Laws - exists whether we are here or not because it simply does - like gravity - all living things have the right to live Natural Rights - rules given to you - from birth

John Locke

Natural Rights English philosopher

Cesare Beccaria - book

On Crimes and Punishments

Thomas Hobbes - In his book Leviathan, Hobbes described beliefs about what human beings are really like. What are some words he might use to describe people?

People are driven by a restless desire for power. He would describe people using strong & powerful words. He also said that humans are naturally cruel, selfish, and greedy. Angry & upset. Not a fan of humanity.

Voltaire

Religious Tolerance and Free Speech

Baron de Montesquieu

Separation of powers

What classical influences impacted Enlightenment thinking and how did new ideas challenge old beliefs?

The Greeks - the idea of democracy (everyone is equal) The Romans - the republic (elections & voting) Christianity & Buddhism - (choice)

Cesare Beccaria

The Rights of the Accused

Jean Jacques Rousseau - book

The Social Contract

Baron de Montesquieu - book

The Spirit of Laws Montesquieu

Baron de Montesquieu - In his book, The Spirit of Laws Montesquieu described how he thought governments should be organized. What was the name of his idea and how did it work?

The book described his theory of how governments should be organized by dividing the government into 3 branches - legislative, judicial, executive. The concept was called the separation of powers.

John Locke - What rights did he think government should protect?

The government should protect the natural rights

Voltaire - he believed on a right so strongly that he said he would defend it to the death. What was that right?

The right of free speech. He said that he would give his life so that his opponent could continue to write. Speech involved being candid - very very confident & honest - brutally honest

The Key to human progress according to Enlightenment thinkers was the use of reason. What did they mean?

They meant that they should study human life more thoroughly. use observations

Jean Jacques Rousseau - The General Will

To find a form of association which defends & protects with all its combined forces the person, & goods of each member, & by means of which each person, uniting with all, yet remains as fee as before. If the majority is doing the right thing then most people should support it is the will of the people as a whole

Thomas Hobbes - According to Hobbes, why were governments created?

To protect people from ourselves. "Government is not necessary, not because man is naturally bad because man is b nature more individualistic than social." (Hobbes)

John Locke - book

Two Treatises of Government

Voltaire - How did Voltaire view religious intolerance?

Voltaire criticized it whenever he saw it. With him being so outgoing and fighting for what he wants he often got into conflicts with authorities. You should be able to worship any religion - any religion is equal & true & therefor you should be able to worship any religion.

What four questions did Enlightenment thinkers ask in their approach to human life?

What natural law governs the way people should live? How well do our institutions agree with the natural law? Does the natural law give all people certain rights? What is the best form of government?

Voltaire - Because he was outspoken what happened several times?

When he was very outspoken it often led to conflicts with authorities. Twice he ended up in prison, and other times he was forced to flee to another city or country

The Renaissance and the Reformation celebrated the dignity and worth of the Individual. What does this mean?

Your ideas are just as good as anyone else. They accepted people as who they are. They valued the thoughts of others and not just listening to the authority.