How Did American Philosophers Influence Society

“Government is necessary, not because man is naturally bad...but because man is by nature more individualistic than social” (Thomas Hobbes). This quote is one of the numerous opinions and beliefs that European philosophers held, shaping governments, and society worldwide. In the American government, the classic European philosophers have influenced the shaping of America and the world more than the actual American philosophers did. European Philosophers influenced ranges from personal rights to the inner workings of America's constitutional democracy, they set the stage for the revolutionary movement, and they made positive changes to the Enlightenment. “Life, Liberty, and Property” this was John Locke's belief that helped influence other American Philosophers. For example in his book Two treatises of government he states “This freedom from absolute, arbitrary power, is so necessary to, and closely joined with a man's preservation, that he cannot part with it, but by what forfeits his preservation and life together: for a man, not
Many European Philosophers had ideas that could change the world however one stood out more. Voltaire helped influence the Enlightenment movement by helping Newton and john Locke’s spread their ideas throughout France, and his rhetorical contribution to the enlightenment helped inspire the world to better itself. In Voltaire’s book Dictionnaire Philosophique he focuses more on Freedom of religion. For example “The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost the power of reasoning” (pg1-24). This quote portrays a sense of freedom, and that even if people have different opinions on belief there is a better world where mankind can come together to live in harmony. Voltaire helped spread the idea that people should break out of the communistic way of living and to take a chance on new