john locke- british, argued that every person was born with a blank mind (tabula rosa) and is molded by their experiences

isaac newton- believed the world operated according to natural laws that could be investigated

• influenced the belief that scientific method would improve society

baron de montesquieu- wrote spirit of the laws

• said british government system of checks and balances between branches gives freedom/security to the state

voltaire- criticized the church and created deism (religious philosophy based on reason/natural law, said that god created earth and left it like a clock)

diderot**-** published the encyclopedia

• attacked religious superstition

• supported religious tolerance

• weapon against old french society

physiocrats-

• wanted to find economic laws that governed society

• believed society would benefit from people pursuing their own economic self-interest

• state should leave economy alone

adam smith- wrote wealth of nations

• government should protect from invasion, protect from injustice, and keep up things individuals can’t

rousseau- wrote the social construct

• idea that all of society should go by general will

• emotions AND reason were important