SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND THE
CONNECTION
The
enlightenment grew largely out of the new methods and discoveries achieved in the Scientific
Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. this led people to view the world in a different light.
Showing that nature and the universe could be explained through reason.
People began to believe that they could explain the workings of society and the relationships of people.
WHAT WAS ENLIGHTENMENT?
European politics, philosophy, science and communications were radically reoriented during the course of the “long 18th century” (1685-1815).
Defined as a philosophical, intellectual and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries.
It stressed reason, logic, criticism and freedom of thought.
The Enlightenment held that there could be a science of man, and that the history of mankind was one of progress, which could be continued with the right thinking.
Consequently, the Enlightenment also argued that human life and character could be improved through the use of education and reason.
Voltaire – 16501722
ENLIGHTENMENT THINKERS
John Locke –
1632-1704
Rousseau –
1712-1778
Thomas
Hobbes –
1588-1679
Montesquieu
– 1689-1755
MAJOR ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS
Every social, political and economic problem could be solved through the use of reason
Governments are created to secure an orderly society
Separation of powers is the best way to protect human liberties
All men are created “free and equal”
A free market should be allowed to regulate trade
SOCIAL
CONTRACT
Thomas Hobbes
Humans are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish.
To escape this people entered into a social contract in establishing a government.
In turn people get civil rights for having a government rule them.
John Locke
New ideas about rights of people and their relationship to their ruler.
Believed people have natural rights; life, liberty and property and government was formed to protect them
Failure