Enlightenment Philosophers
Rousseau
limited, freely elected government was best government
Smith
promoted a free market economy
Voltaire
promoted freedom of religion
Wollstonecraft
promoted the equality of men and women
Voltaire
used wit to expose abuses and corruption
Rousseau
believed education should be based upon experiences not memorization
Smith
believed in limited government interference in business (Laissez-Faire)
Beccaria
believed the level of punishment should be equal to the severity of the crime
Hobbes
believed absolute monarchy was needed to maintain order
Beccaria
called for citizens to have the right to a speedy trial
Wollstonecraft
called for equal education for boys and girls
Voltaire
defended the principle of freedom of speech
Beccaria
desired an end to torture and capital punishment
Rousseau
good of group is more important than individual interests
Montesquieu
government should develop system of checks and balances
Rousseau
people are basically good in their natural state
Locke
people are born with a "blank slate"
Hobbes
people are cruel, greedy and selfish
Hobbes
people followed the social contract in order to live in an orderly society
Locke
people have certain natural rights: life liberty and property
Locke
people have the right to revolt against the government
Montesquieu
separation of powers was best way to protect liberty
Voltaire
spoke out against slavery
