Definitions (attributes of the englightment) Flashcards
The Enlightment
The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a philosophical and intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was characterized by a strong emphasis on reason, rationality, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Enlightenment was a response to the prevailing religious and political authorities of the time, as thinkers sought to challenge traditional beliefs and promote ideas based on scientific inquiry, individual liberty, and social progress. Prominent Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant, advocated for principles such as religious tolerance, freedom of thought, equality, and the separation of powers. The Enlightenment had a profound impact on various fields, including politics, science, literature, and art. It was a European movement, primarily centered in countries such as France, England, and Germany, and its ideas spread across the continent and beyond, influencing subsequent revolutions and shaping the foundations of modern democratic societies.
Divine right to rule
The concept of divine right to rule is a political theory that asserts the legitimacy of a monarch’s authority as being derived directly from a higher power, typically a deity. According to this belief, monarchs are granted their power and right to govern by divine appointment. They are considered to be chosen by God and therefore possess a sacred and unquestionable authority over their subjects. The concept of divine right to rule was deeply rooted in religious and traditional beliefs, particularly during the medieval and early modern periods in Europe. It was often used to justify absolute monarchy and to discourage opposition or rebellion against the ruler. However, the Enlightenment period, with its emphasis on reason, individual rights, and social progress, challenged the concept of divine right to rule. Enlightenment thinkers sought to promote ideas of government based on the consent of the governed and the natural rights of individuals, challenging the absolute authority of monarchs that was attributed to divine appointment.
Secular
- Secular:
Point: Secular refers to the separation of religious and governmental institutions.
Evidence/Example: During the Enlightenment, thinkers emphasized the importance of reason and advocated for a secular society where religious influence on politics and governance was minimized.
Analysis: The Enlightenment challenged the traditional authority of the Church and promoted the idea that political decisions should be based on reason and evidence rather than religious doctrine. This led to the development of secular states and the recognition of religious freedom and tolerance.
Absolutism
- Absolutism:
Point: Absolutism refers to a system of government where a monarch holds absolute power and authority.
Evidence/Example: In the Enlightenment, philosophers like Thomas Hobbes supported absolutism as a means to maintain social order and prevent chaos.
Analysis: However, Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke criticized absolutism, arguing that political power should be based on the consent of the governed and that individuals have natural rights that cannot be violated by a single ruler. The critique of absolutism contributed to the rise of constitutionalism and limited government.
Reason
- Reason:
Point: Reason refers to the use of logical thinking and rationality to understand and explain the world.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment philosophers, such as René Descartes and Immanuel Kant, emphasized the power of reason as a tool for acquiring knowledge and understanding natural laws.
Analysis: Reason was seen as a means to challenge traditional authority, superstition, and dogma. Enlightenment thinkers believed that through reason, humans could improve society, promote progress, and achieve individual freedom.
Empiricism
- Empiricism:
Point: Empiricism is the philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of sensory experience and observation in acquiring knowledge.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment philosopher John Locke advocated for empiricism, arguing that all ideas originate from sensory experiences and that knowledge is derived from observation and experimentation.
Analysis: Empiricism challenged the prevailing notion of innate knowledge and emphasized the importance of evidence-based reasoning. It laid the foundation for the scientific method and influenced the development of various scientific disciplines during the Enlightenment.
Social Contract
- Social Contract:
Point: The social contract is a theoretical agreement between individuals and their government, in which individuals surrender certain rights in exchange for protection and the promotion of their common interests.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed the concept of the social contract in his work “The Social Contract,” where he argued that legitimate political authority is derived from the consent of the governed.
Analysis: The social contract theory challenged the divine right of kings and provided a basis for the idea of popular sovereignty. It influenced the development of democratic principles and the notion that governments exist to serve and protect the rights of the people.
liberalism
- Liberalism:
Point: Liberalism is a political ideology that emphasizes individual rights, limited government, and the protection of personal freedoms.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Adam Smith advocated for liberal principles, such as the protection of natural rights, free markets, and limited government intervention.
Analysis: Liberalism emerged as a response to the perceived abuses of power by absolute monarchies. It promoted the idea that individuals have inherent rights, including life, liberty, and property, and that governments should be limited in their authority to protect these rights. Liberalism influenced the development of modern democratic systems and constitutional frameworks.
Natural Rights: what are they?
- Natural Rights:
Point: Natural rights are inherent and inalienable rights that are believed to be granted to individuals by nature or a higher power, independent of any government or societal institution.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment philosopher John Locke argued that natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, are fundamental and cannot be taken away by any government.
Analysis: The concept of natural rights challenged the idea of absolute authority and provided a moral and philosophical foundation for the protection of individual freedoms. It influenced the development of modern human rights frameworks and constitutional protections.
Separation of powers/ balance of powers
- Separation of powers/Balance of powers:
Point: The separation of powers, also known as the balance of powers, is a principle that advocates for dividing governmental authority among different branches to prevent the concentration of power in a single entity.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu proposed the idea of the separation of powers in his work “The Spirit of the Laws,” where he argued for the division of governmental authority into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Analysis: The separation of powers was seen as a safeguard against tyranny and the abuse of power. It aimed to ensure checks and balances within a government, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant. This principle influenced the design of modern democratic systems and the establishment of constitutional frameworks.
“Consent of the governed”
- “Consent of the governed”:
Point: “Consent of the governed” refers to the idea that the legitimacy of political authority is derived from the consent and agreement of the people being governed.
Evidence/Example: Enlightenment philosopher John Locke emphasized the importance of the consent of the governed, arguing that governments should be based on the will of the people andthat individuals have the right to overthrow a government that violates their natural rights.
Analysis: The concept of “consent of the governed” challenged the notion of divine right and absolute authority. It laid the groundwork for the development of democratic principles and the idea that governments should be accountable to the people they govern. This principle influenced the formation of modern democratic systems and the establishment of representative governments.
Philosophes
- Philosophes:
Point: Philosophes were intellectuals and thinkers during the Enlightenment who critically examined and challenged existing social, political, and religious institutions.
Evidence/Example: Prominent philosophes of the Enlightenment included Voltaire, Denis Diderot, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote influential works that questioned traditional authority and advocated for reason, tolerance, and social reform.
Analysis: Philosophes played a crucial role in disseminating Enlightenment ideas and promoting intellectual discourse. They sought to apply reason and evidence to various aspects of society, including politics, religion, and education. Their writings and ideas contributed to the intellectual and cultural transformations of the Enlightenment era.
Locke
- Locke:
Point: John Locke was a prominent Enlightenment philosopher known for his ideas on natural rights, the social contract, and limited government.
Evidence/Example: Locke’s influential works, such as “Two Treatises of Government,” argued that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments should be based on the consent of the governed and exist to protect these rights.
Analysis: Locke’s ideas had a profound impact on the development of liberal democracy and constitutionalism. His emphasis on natural rights and the consent of the governed challenged the authority of absolute monarchies and provided a philosophical foundation for the establishment of democratic systems and the protection of individual freedoms.
Montesquieu
- Montesquieu:
Point: Montesquieu was an Enlightenment philosopher known for his theory of the separation of powers and his book “The Spirit of the Laws.”
Evidence/Example: Montesquieu argued that the powers of government should be divided among separate branches, such as the legislative, executive, and judicial, to prevent the concentration of power and protect individual liberties.
Analysis: Montesquieu’s theory of the separation of powers influenced the design of modern democratic systems and the establishment of checks and balances. His ideas contributed to the development of constitutional frameworks and the protection of individual rights within a system of governance.
Rousseau
- Rousseau:
Point: Jean-Jacques Rousseau was an influential Enlightenment philosopher known for his ideas on the social contract and the general will.
Evidence/Example: Rousseau’s work “The Social Contract” proposed that legitimate political authority is derived from the general will of the people, and individuals should participate in the formation of laws and decisions that affect them.
Analysis: Rousseau’s ideas emphasized the importance of popular sovereignty and the active participation of citizens in the political process. His concept of the general will influenced the development of democratic principles and the idea that governments should reflect the collective interests and values of the people they govern.
