Voltaire
What was Voltaire's view on religion?
(He was a deist who rejected "infamous superstition" and miracles, advocating for the separation of church and state
What is the "tabula rasa"
Locke argued that the human mind at birth is a tabula rasa or "blank slate," meaning it has no innate ideas. Knowledge is instead entirely imprinted through experience and sensory perception.
What was Montesquieu's primary contribution to political theory?
He developed the theory of the separation of powers, arguing that political liberty is best preserved by dividing governmental authority into three distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one person or body from becoming too powerful.
What is the "state of nature"
It is a hypothetical condition before government, described as a "war of every man against every man," where life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" due to constant fear and competition.
What is the main theme of The Prince?
The central theme is that a ruler should do whatever is necessary to maintain power and stability for their land, even if it is immoral or ruthless.
How did Voltaire define his philosophy?
(He believed in reason over ignorance, aiming to fight intolerance and prejudice.)
What are natural rights to locke
Locke believed all individuals are born equal and endowed by God with inalienable rights to "life, liberty, and property" (sometimes referred to as the pursuit of happiness).
What did Montesquieu mean by "checks and balances"
He believed these three branches must be separate and independent, yet capable of limiting one another, creating a system where, for instance, the executive could veto the legislature, but the legislature could oversee the executive.
What is the social contract
It is the agreement where individuals mutually agree to surrender their natural rights to a sovereign power in exchange for security and order.
Is it better for a ruler to be feared or loved
Machiavelli argues that while it is best to be both, it is safer for a leader to be feared than loved because love is fickle, but fear of punishment is constant.
Was Voltaire a pantheist?
(While often considered a deist, some analyze his work as borderline pantheistic.)
What is the purpose of government
The primary purpose of government, according to Locke, is to protect the natural rights of its citizens.
What was the goal of his recommended government structure?
To avoid despotism, protect individual rights, and maintain law and order.
Why did Hobbes support an absolute monarchy
He believed that dividing power leads to conflict, whereas a single, absolute authority provides the necessary, consistent direction to maintain peace.
What is "Machiavellian" mean?
It refers to a political approach characterized by cunning, duplicity, and the belief that any means—including immoral ones—are justified to achieve political goals
What does "cultivate your garden" mean at the end of Candide? (It
(It suggests focusing on practical, actionable improvements in one's own life rather than abstract, speculative philosophy.)
What is the social contract
Locke’s social contract is an agreement where people delegate their rights to a government, which must protect those rights. If a government fails to do so and violates this trust, the people have the right—and sometimes duty—to revolt.
What was Montesquieu's view on the best form of government?
While he recognized that the best government depended on the nature of the people, he favored a system of shared power, often inspired by the British model of a constitutional monarchy with a balanced legislature and executive.
Are humans naturally good or evil
Hobbes argued that humans are inherently selfish, competitive, and egoistic, rather than naturally social.
What is Machiavelli's view of human nature?
He believed humans are generally selfish, fickle, hypocritical, and greedy, making them untrustworthy, which justifies a strong, sometimes ruthless, leader.
How many books did Voltaire write
He was incredibly prolific, writing over 2,000 books and pamphlets.)
What was Locke's view on the "state of nature"
How did environment influence his political thought?
In The Spirit of the Laws, he suggested that climate, geography, and culture influence the laws and political systems of a society.
What is the role of fear in Hobbes' theory?
Fear, particularly the fear of violent death, drives people to seek peace and accept the authority of the state.
Why did Machiavelli write The Prince
He wrote it to regain favor with the Medici family in Florence and as a guide to help a leader unify Italy and protect it from foreign invaders