Enlightenment Philosophers: Human Nature, Government, and Rights

Thomas Hobbes

English philosopher who believed humans are naturally selfish and need strong government

Hobbes view of human nature

People are naturally violent and chaotic

State of Nature Hobbes

Life without government is nasty brutish and short

Leviathan

Hobbes book arguing for absolute monarchy

Hobbes social contract

People give up freedoms for order and safety

Why Hobbes supported monarchy

Strong ruler prevents chaos and civil war

John Locke

English philosopher who believed people are reasonable and moral

Locke view of human nature

People are born free and capable of cooperation

Natural Rights Locke

Life liberty and property

Locke on government

Government exists to protect natural rights

Consent of the governed

Government power comes from the people

Right of Revolution

People may overthrow unjust governments

Voltaire

French Enlightenment writer who criticized authority

Voltaire main belief

Freedom of speech and religion

Voltaire on religion

Opposed religious intolerance and church power

Voltaire on free speech

Defended speech even if he disagreed

Voltaire influence

Inspired democratic ideas in the US and France

Montesquieu

French philosopher who studied governments

Montesquieu main idea

Separation of powers prevents tyranny

Separation of Powers

Dividing government authority

Three branches of government

Executive legislative judicial

Checks and balances

Each branch limits the others

Montesquieu influence

Inspired US Constitution

Jean Jacques Rousseau

French philosopher who believed society corrupts people

Rousseau view of human nature

People are naturally good

Social Contract Rousseau

People agree to form a government

General Will

Will of the majority for the common good

Rousseau on democracy

People should directly participate in government

Cesare Beccaria

Italian philosopher who reformed criminal justice

Beccaria main goal

Create fair and humane laws

Beccaria on punishment

Punishment should prevent crime not seek revenge

Beccaria on torture

Torture causes false confessions

Beccaria influence

Inspired US Bill of Rights

Mary Wollstonecraft

English philosopher and early feminist

Wollstonecraft belief

Women deserve equal education

Wollstonecraft argument

Women seem inferior due to lack of education

Wollstonecraft impact

Influenced womens rights movements