Studied by 3 peopleepistemology
the theory of knowledge, thinkers' increasingly application to Reason and rationality to human institutions rather than just physical sciences
Reason
clear and ordered thinking
rationality
logic and reasoning
John Locke
English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights in the 1600s
Natural rights
the idea that all humans are born with the rights to life, liberty, and property—all of which should be protected by the state
Consent of the governed
the idea that if the state ever takes or fails to defend natural rights, the people are obligated to reform the state
constitutionalism
the limiting of state powers by a set of documents written and agreed upon by citizens
baron de Montesquieu
A Frenchman who argued that in order to prevent the state from oppressing these rights, state powers should be separated into independent branches
separation of powers
a doctrine designed to prevent any one ruler or group from exercising absolute tyranny
Spirit of Laws
a doctrine laid out by baron de Montesquieu asserting that there were three primary powers exercised by the state: making, enforcing, & interpreting laws
legislative branch
the branch of government meant to be the law maker
executive branch
the branch of government meant to be the law enforcer
judicial branch
the branch of government meant to be the law interpreter—i.e., assesses validity of laws and individual guilt
philosophes
Other Enlightenment thinkers who questioned the role of religion and the state-most notably in Catholic France
Voltaire
one of the most famous philosophes of the Enlightenment, and was known for his stance against state religion, arguing instead religion should be a protected private practice
protected private practice
the idea of practicing religion and other things that you want, privately, argued for by Voltaire
Rousseau
a philosophe who advocated social contract ideals through the general will
general will
the 'collective will' of the people who Rosseau believed should operate as the ultimate entity and authority of the state
American Revolution
(1776-1783) A conflict in which colonists challenged the authority of the British monarch and started a constitutional republic that protects individual rights
French Revolution
(1789-1799) A conflict in which the French people overthrew the oppressive monarchy, nobility, and clergy and gave law-making power to the people
Latin-American Revolutions
(19th century) A conflict in which creole leaders overthrew imperial governments and established national borders and identities in Latin America
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