Enlightenment Era
What was the Enlightenment Era?
Period in history from 1685-1815 characterized by dramatic revolutions in science, philosophy, society, and politics
What is Natural Law?
A set of rules that people naturally follow without being told to by a government
What is Natural Rights according to John Locke?
All human beings have basic rights, like life, liberty, and property.
What is Separation of Powers according to Montesquieu?
Power must be separated, checked, and balanced
Freedom of speech and religious tolerance
Voltaire
When did the Enlightenment Era take place? (approx or exact)
1685-1815 (or 17th to 19th century)
What is Social Contract?
An agreement among the people to set up a government and obey its laws
According to Locke, why do people create governments?
People create governments to protect their rights
What are the three main concepts of Montesquieu's Separation of Powers?
Power must be separated among the different branches of government
Romanticism, reliance on intuition, emotions, and another view of social contract (everyone should participate in democracy)
Rousseau
What were the main changes that took place during the Enlightenment Era?
Dramatic changes in science, philosophy, society, and politics
What is the definition of Natural rights?
are those that are not dependent on the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government. They are universal and inalienable, meaning they cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws. These rights are considered to exist from birth and cannot be removed by any state or legal authority
What is Locke's view on the Social Contract between the government and the people?
To protect their natural rights
Why did Montesquieu argue that power must be separated?
To prevent a government from becoming too powerful
Diderot's contribution (name 2 of them)
Freedom of the press, encyclopedia, dissemination of new ideas
Who were some of the key thinkers of the Enlightenment Era? Name at least 4
John Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Adam Smith
Freedom of ________ and freedom of __________ are about the free sharing/dissemination of ideas
press ; speech (or vice versa)
What are the three branches of power according to Montesquieu?
Legislative, executive, and judicial
What is the main idea behind Locke's Natural Rights?
All human beings have basic rights, like life, liberty, and property.
Contrast Hobbes and Locke's assumption of human nature
Hobbes - humans are born corrupted, bad, evil and need a strong centralized government to subdue these aspects.
Locke - humans are born good ("clean slate") and are capable of making good decisions. Democracy preferred. Social contract
What was the Age of Reason?
Another term for the Enlightenment Era
What is the definition of Separation of Power?
The division of powers among the different branches of government
What is the relationship between Natural Rights and the Social Contract according to Locke?
Natural Rights are protected by the Social Contract
How did Montesquieu believe power should be checked to prevent a government from becoming too powerful?
Power must be checked to prevent tyranny
Name 2 interesting facts about Voltaire
Ans. may vary but must be based on either textbook or student presentations, e.g. imprisonment, critique of other philosophers such as Rousseau and Leibniz, satirical literature