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The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment. The English. England 1650-1800. Prelude Following the death of Elizabeth I, James I, a staunch Catholic, assumes the throne and begins the persecution of the Protestants. 1649: The English Civil War

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The Enlightenment

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  1. The Enlightenment The English

  2. England 1650-1800 • Prelude • Following the death of Elizabeth I, James I, a staunch Catholic, assumes the throne and begins the persecution of the Protestants. • 1649: The English Civil War • Charles I is executed and Oliver Cromwell is placed in charge of the Commonwealth • Though started with lofty goals, eventually devolves into dictatorship • It lasts for 10 years before England reverts to the monarchy and Charles II is placed on the throne

  3. Thomas Hobbes • Bio b.1588-d.1679 • Begins life as a tutor, but becomes interested in philosophy and starts writing. In 1840, he fears he has angered Parliament so he flees to Paris. • Writings • Leviathan, 1850 • Ideas • Believes man is inherently bad and will only behave if “awed” by an absolute ruler. • Sovereign has only one task, to protect his citizens, if he fails than allegiance should transfer to another. • Atheist, religion should only be used for propaganda. • Human life is “nasty, brutish and short.”

  4. John Locke • Bio b. 1632-d. 1704 • Received a prestigious education and while dabbling in medicine, a mentor introduced him to political thought. His early works focus on religious tolerance in response to the bickering in England at the time. • Writings • Essay Concerning Human Understanding, 1690 • Two Treatises of Government, 1690 • Ideas • Man is inherently good. • Necessity of government requires compromise for the betterment of the whole. • Representative government with separation of powers. • Founding fathers drew on this for the U.S. Constitution • Humans have the inalienable rights to “Life, Liberty and Property.”

  5. David Hume • Bio b. 1711-1776 • Scottish, philosopher and historian. Friend of Adam Smith. Spent time in France as well. • Writings • A Treatise of Human Nature, 1738 • Essays Moral and Political, 1744 • Political Discourses, 1752 • Ideas • Reason is not motivation alone, must be driven by morals and passion. • Stresses importance of the rule of law. • Doesn’t matter what government is in charge, so long as it’s fair.

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