Enlightenment Flashcards

Front

What part did scientific observation and reason play in Isaac Newton’s thought process, and why did he hesitate to publish his findings?

Back

Newton, like other Enlightenment thinkers, believed the best way to better understand

the world was through reason. He observed and experimented, then contemplated his

observations.

Newton hesitated to publish his findings because he feared criticism. Other scientists

had also experienced pushback from institutions like the Catholic Church for

contradicting previously accepted ideas.

Front

Why is Descartes considered to be the father of modern philosophy?

Back

Descartes introduced a new way of thinking about what we know and how we know it.

He insisted on using reason.

Front

Why did Thomas Hobbes believe in the need for an all-powerful ruler as the leader of the government?

Back

Hobbes believed that humans were naturally selfish and could not make decisions in the best interest of society when left to their own devices. Hobbes believed that a powerful government was necessary to preserve order.

Front

In what ways did the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke differ?

Back

Unlike Hobbes, who believed that humans were naturally cruel and selfish, Locke believed that humans were born as blank slates. They could develop into good or bad people based on their experiences in life.

While Hobbes favored a strong all powerful leader to rule over society, Locke believed that it was the role of the government to protect the natural rights of citizens (if the government failed to protect those natural rights or go so far as to violate them, citizens had the right to replace the

government.

Front

Why did Montesquieu believe that it was important to limit the power of a ruler and of any one branch of government?

Back

He believed that limiting the power of a ruler or any one branch of government would prevent that ruler or branch from becoming too powerful, and ultimately tyrannical.

Front

In what ways did Europe’s Enlightenment thinkers inspire America’s Founding Fathers to create a government by the people for the people?

Back

Both Locke and Montesquieu influenced our founding fathers a great deal. Thomas Jefferson adapted Locke’s ideas of natural rights when writing the Dec of Ind as well as Locke’s argument that the government can and should be overthrown if it violates the rights of its people. Montesquieu inspired James Madison to create a separation of powers in the US gov.