enlightenment (copy)

• 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

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