MWH Enlightenment Thinkers

Locke

The government should protect peoples natural rights of Life, Liberty, and Property/ Land

Hobbes

Social contract, people surrender their natural rights to escape the chaos from a “state of nature”, Believed in a single ruler who would protect your rights. Autocracy & absolutism

Social contract

people give up certain freedoms in place for security and societal order.

Montesquieu

He believed that the administrative powers were divided into executive, judicial and legislative. The different branches of government would create, enforce, and “interpret” the laws

Rousseau

One can only pursue one's own happiness by pursuing everyone else's. Believes in the social contract. He says that the people and the government should follow the laws implemented, creating a bond between the two parties. All citizens who follow the same laws, will therefore enjoy the same rights. “Give a little, get a little”, give some freedoms to maintain other rights

Diderot

Enlightenment thinker that made the “endyclopedie” (encyclopedia). It was important because it helped spread information and enlightenment ideas.

Sir Francis Bacon

Believed in using the scientific method and inductive reasoning to solve problems/answer questions