Philosophy in the Age of Reason

1. Philosophy in the Age of Reason 17-1

2. Reason • Social, political and economic problems can all be solved through reason • Result of the scientific revolution • Natural Law – Rules discoverable by reason • Used to understand social, economic and political problems • Study human behavior

3. Thomas Hobbes • English • Leviathan • People were naturally cruel, greedy and selfish • Life without laws would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short • Social Contract – people give up freedom for an organized society • Only a strong government could create an orderly society – Absolute monarchy

4. John Locke • English • People were reasonable • Natural Rights – All entitled to life, liberty and property • Two Treatises of Government • People formed government to protect natural rights • Best form of government • Limited power • Accepted by all citizens

5. Locke • Rejected absolute monarchy • Government has obligation to people • If obligation is violated people can overthrow • Right to revolution

6. French Thinkers • Use of reason lead to reforms in government, law and society • Philosophes • Baron de Montesquieu • Studied governments and ancient cultures • Absolute monarchy was bad • The Spirit of the Laws • Best way to divide power of government was to have three braches – legislative, executive and judicial • Each branch should “check” the other branches

7. Voltaire • Defended freedom of speech • Targeted corrupt officials and idle aristocrats • Detested slave trade and religious prejudiced • Offended French government and Catholic Church • Imprisoned and exiled – Books were banned

8. Diedrot • Encyclopedia – a 28 volume set of books that aimed to change the way people think • 4,000 copies between 1751-1789 • Translated version spread ideas through Europe and Americas • Topics included government, philosophy and religion • Against slavery • For Freedom of Expression • Education for all • Attacked traditional religions

9. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • People were basically good but corrupted by society • The Social Contract • Society placed too many limitations on behavior • Some control necessary but it should be minimal • Only freely elected governments should impose control

10. Rousseau • Faith in peoples general will • Good of the community as a whole above an individual • Hated all political and economic oppression

11. Women • Philosophes did not count women among “free and equal” • Women’s natural rights limited to home and family • Mary Wollstonecraft – British – A Vindication of the Rights of Women • First duty is to be a good mother but did not need to depend on husband to know what was in her interest • Equal education for boys and girls • Education allow women to participate equally in politics

12. Ecomonics • Physiocrats reject mercantilism in favor of laissez-faire; support free trade and oppose tariffs • Laissez-Faire – business with little or no government interference • Adam Smith • The Wealth of Nations – free market regulate business activity; favor of laissez-faire • When there was a demand for good suppliers would meet that demand to gain profits • Government protect society, administer justice and provide public works