Enlightenment Summative

human nature

The fundamental disposition of humans that determines their behavior

reason

a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.

State of Nature

a condition in which no governments or laws existed at all

Jean-Jaques rousseau

believed people in their natural state were basically good but that they were corrupted by the evils of society, especially the uneven distribution of property

Thomas Hobbes

believed that people are born selfish and need a strong central authority

seperation of powers

dividing the powers of government among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Baron de Montesquieu

separation of powers

Divine Right of Kings Theory

the belief that God grants authority to a government

natural rights

Life, Liberty, and Property

secular

Non-religious

Voltaire

(1694-1778) French philosopher. He believed that freedom of speech was the best weapon against bad government. He also spoke out against the corruption of the French government, and the intolerance of the Catholic Church.

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

philosophes

A group of French "radicals" who focused on human reason and making critical changes in society

Enlightenment

A movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions.

philosophy

A system of beliefs and values

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

natural law

God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law