The Enlightenment Flashcards
What was The Englightenment?
The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that began in France and dominated Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries with global influences and effects. The philosophers of the Enlightenment were against any religion they saw as old-fashioned or superstitious.
Above all, to be enlightened meant that science and human intelligence were of the highest importance. If a belief could not stand up to reason - if it could not be proven - then it should be rejected.
What influence from other countries was there on the Enlightenment in France?
Events in Britain influenced the French philosophers, including English physicist Isaac Newton’s law of gravity and English philosopher John Locke’s philosophy of empiricism.
Empricism meant that knowledge was possible only through experience of the world. Religious beliefs could not be proved this way and demanded faith.
What was the role of women in the Enlightenment?
Women were important to the spread of new ideas during the Enlightenment. Wealthy and educated women held salons in their homes where the philosophers could meet and exchange ideas.
Who was Rousseau?
Rousseau believed that modern society had destroyed people’s natural goodness and virtue. However, he also believed that reason could change people for the better.
Who was Voltaire?
Voltiare believed that a monarch could rule well if he or she was enlightened. He felt the commo people were ignorant and superstitious. He hated injustice and defended people he believed were victims of prejudice.
Who was Montesquieu?
Montesquieu believed an ideal government would allow the ruler and elected officials to hold separate powers. This meant that no one person or group could hold too much power.
What was the Social Contract and the General Will?
Rousseau published a book called “The Social Contract, Or Principles of Political Right”.
In this book he outlined an ideal society, one in which everyone was “free”. Government in some form would still be necessary, so citizens would agree to a social contract. Everyone would enjoy the same rights and the same duties, and follow the same rules.
The social contract could not be followed unless everyone agreed to it. The general will, in this sense, was the will of the people as a whole to want what was best for everyone.
