enlightenment knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment. lao tzu lao tzu lao tzu
TRANSCRIPT
ENLIGHTENMENT
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.
Lao Tzu
Objectives
Explain the ideas of the philosophes Connection to the Scientific Revolution
Analyze the impact of the sci. rev. on the Enlightenment Voltaire
Connections
Scientific Revolution
showed the power/success of human reason
People apply human reason to natural laws (laws that govern human nature)
led to - revolution in thinking = Enlightenment
Newton Last of the great figures of
the Sci. Rev. Or 1st in the Enlightenment
Newton’s laws were starting point for investigating everything in nature Used reason to solve:
social political economic problems
The Philosophes
Philosophes: lovers of wisdom Concentrated on:
Welfare of society Freedom of individual Happiness of humanity
Used reason to make reforms to government, law & society
Completely different ideas than the Absolute rulers of the time.
Think critically: HOW? Be able to give examples.
Philosophes’ Ideas
Nature Took Newton and other scientists’ ideas of natural
laws and applied them to social interaction economics and government.
Laissez faire & balance of powers
Reason Move toward liberty & away from intolerance &
prejudice
Other ideas Happiness:
Lived by nature’s laws, you would find happiness. No need to wait for happiness - heaven
Live in happiness, not misery!
Progress: Belief society & humankind could be perfected Using science
Liberty: Believed that society could be set free. Liberty is necessary to be happy
Voltaire Criticized Fr. gov’t,
laws, and Christianity Was locked in the Bastille
(French jail) & was exiled
Most famous writing: Candide, Satire – use of wit and sarcasm to
criticize Prejudice Inequality injustice Gov. & laws basically everything he
didn’t like
Hobbes vs Locke
Right of Rebellion People - no right to
rebel against their govt.
Human Nature Humans are wicked
so they must be protected
Naturally cruel, selfish
If not controlled = fight & steal
Right of Rebellion People oppressed
by their govt. every right to rebel
Human Nature Humans are
reasonable so they can make good decisions about how to govern
Free will Obedience because
it is right not out of fear
Hobbes vs Locke
Role of Government Govts. protect ppl
from their own wickedness & selfishness
Role of Monarch One ruler should
have absolute power to keep society from falling into disorder
Role of Government Govts. protect 3 basic
rights Life, liberty & property
Role of Monarch The ruler has a duty
to protect these basic rights
Hobbes – Social Contract
Agreement B/w the leader & his people Give up rights for
Protection Organized society
How does this apply to governments today Give up taxes and freedom For security
Montesquieu (1689-1755)
The Best government:► Separate the powers of the Govt.
►ensured freedom & liberty.►Legislative: make laws►Executive: enforce laws►Judicial: interpret laws
► Politically balanced
►Checks & balances: (each branch serves as a check on the other branches)
►“Power should be a check to power”
Rousseau (1712-1778)► Individual Freedom
►People are naturally good►innocence was corrupted by
the evils of society
► “Men are born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”
► The Social Contract, 1762.►Agreement among free individuals►Hobbes: society & government
► The best government►Formed by the people►Consent of the governed
►Direct democracy
Beccaria
Italian Philosophe
Laws exist to preserve order NOT to avenge crimes
Criticized abuses of justice Accused should have
Speedy trial Punishment should fit the crime Never torture
Mary Wollstonecraft
Philosophes challenged assumptions But: Traditional view toward women Education: teach how to be wife &
mother
Wollstonecraft Increased Rights for Women Education for Women = Men Women Should enter male-dominated
fields Politics & medicine
Questions What is government supposed to ensure? What are the 3 branches of govt & what
do each do? Rousseau believed people were naturally
what? What did Rousseau write and his idea of
the best form of government? Beccaria believed laws existed for what
purpose and if you were in trouble with the law, what 3 things should you get?
What did Wollstonecraft fight for?
To Do: Write these questions down, write your answer to each question and be ready to discuss tomorrow
Security vs. Freedom Are you willing to give up any Freedoms in Exchange for
better protection from terrorism?
The police believe a person has brought a gun to school. Would you allow the police to search your school bag & lockers?
A person takes books out of the library on bomb making. What should the librarian do?
Several Mid. Eastern males are boarding a plane at O’Hare airport. Should they have to go through extra security?
Salons Wealthy wmn held mtgs
in their homes Philosophes discussed
ideas
Marie-Therese Geoffrin Was a “patron” to the
thinkers
So why are they important? Gave Enlightenment
thinkers a place to share ideas
Provided Enlightenment thinkers w/support
Denis Diderot (1713-1784)
► All things must be examined, debated, investigated w/o exception & w/o regard for anyone’s feelings.
► We will speak against senseless laws until they are reformed.
Diderot’s Encyclopédie
Created 28 vol. Encyclopedia Gathered articles on human
knowledge Articles by thinkers of the
day against slavery urged for education for all praised freedom of expression
Widely denounced by govts & church
Despotism
Form of govt by which a single entity rules w/ absolute & unlimited power
Many philosophes believed best govt was: Monarchy Respected people’s rights
Try to convince rulers to rule justly
Enlightened Despots
Enlightened Despots Embraced new ideas Made reforms
True Reformers? Just wanted their countries to be stronger
Montesquieu & Despotism
The diff. b/w monarchy & despotism:
Monarchy - a single person governs by fixed and established laws
Despot - governs by his own will
Enlightened Despots
Fredrick the Great - Ruled Prussia
Committed to reform Religious freedom Reduced censorship Increased education Abolished torture “the first servant of the state
Changes only went so far Serfdom wrong But didn’t end it Needed support of the nobles
Catherine the Great - Ruled Russia
Formed commission to review laws
Religious toleration Abolishing torture Abolishing capital
punishment
Changes only went so far
Commission accomplished none of the goals
Did nothing to change life of peasants
After a revolt – she gave noble absolute power over them
The “Great Debate”
Reason& Logic Traditions
e justice
e tolerance
e Liberty
e Absolute monarchy
e Religion - church
e habit
VS
The Legacy of the Enlightenment?
1.Belief in Progress Opened door for growth in sci.
New discoveries
Confidence that humans could solve social probs
2.More secular society (non-religious) Openly question church
Promote tolerance of all religions
The Legacy of the Enlightenment?3. Importance of the individual
Use own ability to reason to judge right & wrong
Turn away from the church Art, literature, & music offered new
expressions & sounds: Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn
YouTube - Beethoven Symphony No.9
YouTube - Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, organ4. Revolutions democratic revs begun in America in
1776 & in Paris in the late 1780s