Ch 3 Lesson 2: The Enlightenment [Intro] (McGraw Hill)

Ch 3 Lesson 2: The Enlightenment [Intro] (McGraw Hill p96-99)

The philosophes: Locke, Newton, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot

Ideas of the Philosophes

• The Enlightenment was an 18th-century European philosophical movement of intellectuals who applied reason (scientific method) to an understanding of all life.

• Philosophes wanted to break superstitions of the medieval period

• They hoped by using reason they could progress toward a better society

contin.

• Reason, natural law, hope, progress -- these were common words to the thinkers of the Enlightenment

• Ideas of John Locke and Isaac Newton heavily influenced the philosophes

• Locke suggest people are born with tabula rasa (blank mind) and are molded by their experiences of their world

• Newton believed the universe operated according to natural laws that could be uncovered through systematic investigation

Multiple Choice

All of the following are true about the Enlightenment EXCEPT

• the main goal was to bring electricity to every home in Europe

• philosophes wanted to debunk long-standing superstitions

• reason could be used to improve and progress society

• John Locke and Isaac Newton were heavily influential to other philosophes

Role of Philosophy

• Intellectuals of the Enlightenment were known by the French word philosophe, or "philosopher"

• Writers, professors, journalists, economists, & social reformers, all from the nobility or middle class

• The purpose of philosophy and the movement was to improve the world

• Reason & rational criticism were applied to everything, including religion & politics

Multiple Choice

Philosophes were likely

• from the poor, working class

• monarchs or members of the Church

• from the nobility or middle class

• from the wealthy elite

Montesquieu

• A French noble who tried to find natural laws that govern social and political relationships of human beings

• Stated that England's government provided the most freedom since it had three branches: executive (monarch), legislative (Parliament), and judicial (courts).

• This system functioned through separation of powers: three branches of government limit and control each other (AKA checks and balances)

Multiple Choice

Montesquieu believed a government system with checks and balances within its own government provided the most freedom, which was called __________ of powers.

• inclusion

• abolishment

• Enlightenment

• separation

Voltaire

• From a middle-class family in Paris, well known for criticism of Christianity

• Through numerous writings, he challenged the actions of the Church

• Believed strongly in religious toleration, promoting deism (religious philosophy based on reason and natural law)

Diderot

• Wrote the Encyclopedia, a 28-volume collection of knowledge (1751-1772) with the purpose to "change the general way of thinking"

• The Encyclopedia was a weapon against old French society, attacking religious superstition and it supported religious toleration

• Sold to doctors, clergymen, teachers, and lawyers it spread Enlightenment ideas

Multiple Choice

Diderot's Encyclopedia supported the Church and long-held superstitions in European society

• True

• False