Chapter 17: The Age of Enlightenment

Francois Quensay

Led the physiocrats and supported the lassier-faire, he wanted to remove restrictions on free trade such as tariffs

Baron de Montesquieu

Large supporter of checks and balances, he believed that the powers must be separated, wrote Sprit of the Laws

Salons

Gatherings of philosophes and other notables to divisss the ideas of the enlightenment; so called from elegant drawing rooms where they met

John Locke

Influential philosopher who proposed that individuals have natural rights, idea of a “social contract”

Methodism

A English revolution movement begun by John Wesley, focus on bible study and methodical approach to scriptures and christian living

Voltaire

Leader of the Enlightenment, tolerant of religions and believed that a monarchy was the best form of government. Would listen to all viewpoints on a topic, supported by Frederick the Great

Immanuel Kant

Professor in East Prussia, argued that if serious thinkers were granted freedom to exercise their reason in print, enlightenment would follow

Adam Smith

Wrote The Wealth of Nations, improved the laissez-faire and went against mercantilism

Balthasar Neumann

One of the most important architects of this time. He created the pilgrimage church of the vierzehnheiligen

Marquise de Chatelet

A woman educated in the sciences, Translated Newton’s Principia

Rousseau

influential 18th-century philosopher known for his ideas about the social contract, individual freedom, and the natural goodness of humanity.

Philosophes

Philosophes were influential intellectuals and thinkers of the Enlightenment who promoted reason, science, and skepticism of traditional authority.

James Cook

Discovered the Pacific island of Tahiti and New Zealand and Australia. Wrote "Travels" and it became a best seller.

laissez-faire

“let them do as they please” economic doctrine that states an economy is best served when the government does not interfere, but allows the economy to self-regulate according to forces of supply and demand

David Hume

Strongly believed in the science of man. An important figure in the history of philosophy. Had also been called "a pioneering social scientist."

tabula rasa

“blank slate." A belief of John Locke that everyone was born as a blank slate and what they did in life determined what happened.

Mary Astell

Female English philosopher who argued for equality for the sexes in marriage and women’s education

Romanticism

Intellectual and artistic movement rejecting emphasis on reason of the enlightenment. Stressed on importance of intuition, feeling, emotion, and imagination as sources of knowing

Feminism

A social and political movement advocating for the rights of women and equality between the sexes.

Neoclassicism

A revival of the many styles and spirit of classic antiquity inspired directly from the classical period

Carnival

Celebrated in the weeks leading up to the beginning of Lent