2. Do Now! What does “Enlightenment” mean to you? How would you define enlightenment? What impact does enlightenment play in today’s society?
3. Path to the Enlightenment When: 18th Century What: Philosophical movement of intellectuals Achievements of the Scientific Revolution Common words of thinkers: Reason Natural Law Hope Progress
5. John Locke Englishman Essay Concerning Human Understanding Published essay People born with blank minds Molded by experiences Came to their senses from surrounding world Major thinker of the Enlightenment
6. Isaac Newton Englishman Believed in the physical world Everything is like a giant machine Operated according to natural laws Laws Uncovered through scientific investigation Newton and the Enlightenment Discoverer of Natural Laws Used Scientific Method Applied laws to society
7. Ideas of Philosophy Philosophe French term for philosopher Term for intellectuals of the enlightenment Middle and Upper classes Needed education Philosophers were: Writers Professors Journalists Economists Social Reformers (most important)
8. Role of Philosophy Goals: “To change the world…” “Applying one’s self to the to the study of society, with the purpose of making his kind better and happier.” Ideas: Often disagreed with each other Generations became more radical Built off of and changed ideas from the past
9. Montesquieu Dominated philosophical landscape French Noble The Spirit of Laws (1748) Famous publication Study of Governments Applied Scientific Method Find natural laws Governed the social and political relationships of human beings
10. Montesquieu’sChecks & Balances England’s Government 3 Branches: Executive (the Monarch) Legislative (Parliament) Judicial (Courts of Law) Separation of Powers Branches limit the power of the others Creates “balance: within the government System of Checks and Balances Most lasting contribution to political thought
11. Voltaire Greatest figure of Enlightenment philosophy* Background: Prosperous middle-class family Known for: Criticism of Christianity Strong belief in religious toleration (France) Treatise on Toleration (1763)
12. Voltaire & Deism Deism Religious philosophy Based on reason and natural law Ideology Build on idea of Newtonian “World Machine” Mechanic = God He created/designed the universe Example World is like a clock God = clockmaker Created it, set it in motion, and allowed it to run without interference, according to its natural laws
13. Dennis Diderot Background University of Paris Father career in Church law Became a writer Encyclopedia (1751 – 1772) Classified Dictionary of Sciences, Arts, and Trades Major Enlightenment contribution Goal: “Change the general way of thinking” Weapon against Old Society Highly scientific Spoke out against the Church Spread enlightenment ideas