Unit 4 Enlightenment Flashcards
What were some SCIENTIFIC roots of the Enlightenment?
Newton: Natural Law
Insisted upon empirical
rationalization to check
rational explanation
Mathematical Universe
that governs itself
Bacon: Empiricism
What were some PHILOSOPHICAL roots of the Enlightenment?
John Locke: Natural
Rights
Blank slate- humans
are shaped by
experience
Descartes: Rational
Deduction and reason
Explain the concept of Natural Law.
The Universe is governed by NATURAL LAWS (not
supernatural forces)
Humanity through scientific method can discover and
explain these LAWS
Natural Laws govern ALL areas of Study
Economics / Politics / Humanity / etc
Humanity can achieve infinite improvement through
education /understanding of these laws!
Explain Deism
God as the “Cosmic Clockmaker”
Created the Earth then stepped back and did not
get involved
Earth is governed by Natural Law: Based on writing
of Newton
What did Baruch Spinoza do?
Created a world view that equated
God with Nature
Define a Philosophe
Toleration
Use of Reason
Applied Scientific Method to society
Committed to fundamental reform
Believe in self governance or Enlightened
Despotism
Tabula Rasa: “Blank Slate”
Natural Law
Who was Voltaire?
First of the philosophes:
kicked off the
Enlightenment
Criticism of traditional
religion
Treatise on Toleration, 1763
Deism
Candide -> Cultivate your own Garden!
What did Diderot do?
Created the first Encyclopedia, attacked religious superstition and advocated toleration, lowered price of the Encyclopedia helped spread ideas of the Enlightenment
What did Montesquieu do?
Wrote the books Persian Letters and The Spirit of Laws, attacked traditional religion, advocated religious toleration, idea of 3 branches of government.
What were Montesquieu’s 3 forms of government?
Monarchy, Republic, and Despotic (all included 3 branches of power)
What did Adam Smith do?
Advocated free trade and attacked mercantilism, believed that the government had 3 basic functions
What did Beccaria do?
Wrote the book On Crimes and Punishment, advocated reform w/ punishment (should be for ensuring peace and not for religious retribution), opposed death penalty and torture for confession, influenced English Despotism
What did Rousseau do?
Created the idea of a Social Contract, concept of General Will, was different than other Philosophes, will be a transitional figure into a new age of Romanticism later on, dissagreed w/ Hobbes
What was the view of Women?
They were naturally inferior
Classical liberalism
Belief in liberty of the individual and equality (not democracy), “natural rights,” government should not interfere in the economy, opposite of mercantilism, belief in progress, religious toleration, etc.
