Age of Reason (The Enlightenment)

The Enlightenment was a time of great intellectual change and advancement. During the 17th
and 18th centuries. European philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers asked new and often radical
questions about the world around them. They rejected traditional ideas supported by the Christian
church and instead focus on people’s ability to understand the world through reason. People,
Enlightenment philosophers argued, had the ability to observe an ordered world.

Along with a renewed focus on reason came fresh ideas about the abilities of the individual.
Enlightenment thinkers often argued that people were born with natural rights, or basic human rights,
such as freedom. Unlike many earlier philosophers, Enlightenment thinkers claimed that the individual
was important and that individual rights were necessary. However, they also acknowledged that people
and places varied. Different societies might benefit from different political or social practices.
Enlightenment ideas helped shape significant changes in the way people related to their governments in
years to come.

The thinkers of the Enlightenment based their ideas around two fundamental concepts,
rationalism and individualism. Rationalism is the idea that people can use reason, or logical thought,
to understand and improve the world. Rationalists believed that they could analyze and understand
patterns in the behaviors of people and governments. They believed that individuals and governments
should make decisions based on clear reasoning rather than superstition or tradition. Individualism is
the idea that individuals and their rights are important. Individualists argued that individuals should be
able to see how government helps them and governments should protect individual’s interests. Using
rational arguments, some Enlightenment thinkers argued that the people should have a larger role in
government. Many advocated for more democratic systems.

Enlightenment philosophers applied these ideas to government, society, and human behavior.
They argued that by using reason and science, people could study the nature of the human individual
and could understand the causes of problems facing their society. Instead of simply accepting social
problems, enlightenment thinkers tried to solve them. Eventually the Enlightenment led to conflict
because it threatened important social traditions, including religious beliefs.

One of the earliest thinkers who tried to look at politics in a rational way was Thomas Hobbes
(1588-1679) from England. He believed that people were naturally
aggressive and that conflict was a normal part of human nature. In his most
famous book, Leviathan, Hobbes wrote that people could only escape war
and violence by giving up their natural rights and submitting to the rule of a
strong ruler. Hobbes called this agreement in which people gave up rights
in exchange for law and order a social contract. Because of this negative
view of human nature, Hobbes supported powerful rulers more than the
  rights of individuals.
 John Locke (1632-1704), another important English philosopher at this time, had a very
different view of human nature. He believed that people were not born good or evil, but that their
characters were determined by their life experiences. In his most
well-known political work, Two Treatises on Government, Locke
wrote that people were born free and that they naturally had certain
rights. The most important of these rights were life, liberty, and
property. Locke agreed with Hobbes that governments were formed
through social contract, but he saw the purpose of government very
differently. Locke wrote that the purpose of government was to
protect natural rights. The only reason people should give up any of
these rights was in exchange for a just, or fair government.
According to Locke’s idea of a social contract, if a government did
not rule justly, or did not protect people’s rights, the people had a right to overthrow their leaders.

In the mid 1700’s, the most important Enlightenment thinkers lived in Paris, France. This group
of thinkers is known as the philosophes, which is the French word for philosophers. One of the most
influential philosophes was Francois Marie Arouet, who wrote using the name Voltaire (1694-1778).
Voltaire’s written works included plays, poems, and historical and
philosophical essays. He was well known for using humor to make
his political points. He was well known for using humor to make his
political points. Voltaire wrote in favor of religious tolerance and free
speech, and he often criticized important people in society. As a
young man, Voltaire was arrested and put in jail for writing verses
that made fun of government leaders. He also criticized church
leaders and supported the separation of church and state. Voltaire’s
most famous work is a humorous novel called Candide, in which he
made fun of the attitudes of other philosophers of his day.

Charles-Louis de Secondat, the Baron de Montesquieu (simply referred to as Montesquieu), wrote

extensively about politics. In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu
(1689-1755) wrote about factors that would create a fair, uncorrupt
government that protected people’s rights. He believed that the way to
achieve this goal was to have a separation of power so that no one
person had too much influence. Montesquieu wanted governments
divided into three different branches: a legislative branch, an executive
branch, and a judicial branch. Each branch should have different
responsibilities. The authors of the U.S. Constitution used this model
for the U.S. government.
 
Another French philosophe, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), wrote about politics in a work
called The Social Contract. In Rousseau’s ideal society, people would be
able to vote on the laws they must follow rather than merely obeying laws
imposed on them by a ruler or rulers. While Rousseau
supported democracy, he also wrote about other topics. These included
how children should be educated and the benefits of spending time in
nature. Rousseau believed that human beings are inherently good, but are
corrupted by the evils of society. He considered science, art and social
 
institutions to be a part of what corrupts. He believed that the only way to
get back to that goodness that human beings are born with is to be as close to nature as possible.

Although some European rulers opposed Enlightenment ideas and tried to censor these writers
and others tried to put their ideas into practice. Frederick II, ruler of Prussia, a German state, even
invited Voltaire to stay with him at court for a time. Frederick II—known also as Frederick the Great
because of his military victories—was considered an “enlightened despot.” This term means that he
used enlightenment ideas to create some legal reforms but never took actions that threatened his own
power or significantly changed the structure of his society. A despot is someone who rules with
unlimited power.

Enlightenment ideas flowed from France, across Europe, and beyond. Everywhere, thinkers
examined traditional beliefs and customs in the light of reason and found them flawed. In time, they
would inspire some Europeans to rise up against their rulers.

1 – 8. Write one of the bold, underlined words from the reading next to its synonym or definition:

Word from reading Synonym/Definition

1. A group of French thinkers from the 18th Century.
2. Suppress the information of…
3. A belief that opinions and actions should be based on reason.
4. Dividing government responsibilities into different branches.
5. A ruler with unlimited power.
6. A theory favoring freedom of action for individuals.
7. An implicit agreement between people and government.
8. Basic human rights that people are born with.

9–13. Match each philosopher’s written work with the name of the philosopher who created it.
Book written Philosopher who wrote it
9. Two Treatises on Government
10. The Social Contract
11. The Spirit of the Laws
12. Leviathan
13. Candide
14-20. Answer the following questions based on the reading:

14. Comprehension: How did the new way of thinking (the dawn of enlightenment) affect
traditional views supported by the Christian church?

15. Comprehension: How were the Enlightenment philosophers different from earlier
philosophers?

16. Prediction: How do you think the ideas of rationalism and individualism lead to revolutions (the
overthrowing of government) with the American colonies and the French?

17. Comprehension: From the reading, which 2 philosophers were from England?

_______________________ _________________________

18. Comprehension: From the reading, which 3 philosophers were from France?

_______________ ________________ ________________

19. Opinion: Which of the 5 Enlightenment philosophers from the reading do you think has the
most important idea about how government should rule? Why?

20. Opinion: Which of the 5 Enlightenment philosophers from the reading do you not agree with or
you think has the least important idea about how government should rule? Why?
21-25. Match each picture of Enlightenment ideas to the philosopher that created it. Use the reading
to help you decide.

21.  Philosopher:     22.  Philosopher:    

Government “People  are  

naturally  aggressive  

+ and  n eed  strong  

rulers!”  

People
                                                                                                               

23.  Philosopher:     24.  Philosopher:    

 
Separation  of  Powers  
ü Life
ü Liberty
ü Property
Executive   Legislative   Judicial  

25.  Philosopher:    

                                                                     
 
 
 
 
 Age of Reason (The Enlightenment)
The Enlightenment was a time of great intellectual change and advancement. During the 17th
and 18th centuries. European philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers asked new and often radical
questions about the world around them. They rejected traditional ideas supported by the Christian
church and instead focus on people’s ability to understand the world through reason. People,
Enlightenment philosophers argued, had the ability to observe an ordered world.

Along with a renewed focus on reason came fresh ideas about the abilities of the individual.
Enlightenment thinkers often argued that people were born with natural rights, or basic human rights,
such as freedom. Unlike many earlier philosophers, Enlightenment thinkers claimed that the individual
was important and that individual rights were necessary. However, they also acknowledged that people
and places varied. Different societies might benefit from different political or social practices.
Enlightenment ideas helped shape significant changes in the way people related to their governments in
years to come.

The thinkers of the Enlightenment based their ideas around two fundamental concepts,
rationalism and individualism. Rationalism is the idea that people can use reason, or logical thought,
to understand and improve the world. Rationalists believed that they could analyze and understand
patterns in the behaviors of people and governments. They believed that individuals and governments
should make decisions based on clear reasoning rather than superstition or tradition. Individualism is
the idea that individuals and their rights are important. Individualists argued that individuals should be
able to see how government helps them and governments should protect individual’s interests. Using
rational arguments, some Enlightenment thinkers argued that the people should have a larger role in
government. Many advocated for more democratic systems.

Enlightenment philosophers applied these ideas to government, society, and human behavior.
They argued that by using reason and science, people could study the nature of the human individual
and could understand the causes of problems facing their society. Instead of simply accepting social
problems, enlightenment thinkers tried to solve them. Eventually the Enlightenment led to conflict
because it threatened important social traditions, including religious beliefs.

One of the earliest thinkers who tried to look at politics in a rational way was Thomas Hobbes
(1588-1679) from England. He believed that people were naturally
aggressive and that conflict was a normal part of human nature. In his most
famous book, Leviathan, Hobbes wrote that people could only escape war
and violence by giving up their natural rights and submitting to the rule of a
strong ruler. Hobbes called this agreement in which people gave up rights
in exchange for law and order a social contract. Because of this negative
view of human nature, Hobbes supported powerful rulers more than the
  rights of individuals.
 John Locke (1632-1704), another important English philosopher at this time, had a very
different view of human nature. He believed that people were not born good or evil, but that their
characters were determined by their life experiences. In his most
well-known political work, Two Treatises on Government, Locke
wrote that people were born free and that they naturally had certain
rights. The most important of these rights were life, liberty, and
property. Locke agreed with Hobbes that governments were formed
through social contract, but he saw the purpose of government very
differently. Locke wrote that the purpose of government was to
protect natural rights. The only reason people should give up any of
these rights was in exchange for a just, or fair government.
According to Locke’s idea of a social contract, if a government did
not rule justly, or did not protect people’s rights, the people had a right to overthrow their leaders.

In the mid 1700’s, the most important Enlightenment thinkers lived in Paris, France. This group
of thinkers is known as the philosophes, which is the French word for philosophers. One of the most
influential philosophes was Francois Marie Arouet, who wrote using the name Voltaire (1694-1778).
Voltaire’s written works included plays, poems, and historical and
philosophical essays. He was well known for using humor to make
his political points. He was well known for using humor to make his
political points. Voltaire wrote in favor of religious tolerance and free
speech, and he often criticized important people in society. As a
young man, Voltaire was arrested and put in jail for writing verses
that made fun of government leaders. He also criticized church
leaders and supported the separation of church and state. Voltaire’s
most famous work is a humorous novel called Candide, in which he
made fun of the attitudes of other philosophers of his day.

Charles-Louis de Secondat, the Baron de Montesquieu (simply referred to as Montesquieu), wrote

extensively about politics. In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu
(1689-1755) wrote about factors that would create a fair, uncorrupt
government that protected people’s rights. He believed that the way to
achieve this goal was to have a separation of power so that no one
person had too much influence. Montesquieu wanted governments
divided into three different branches: a legislative branch, an executive
branch, and a judicial branch. Each branch should have different
responsibilities. The authors of the U.S. Constitution used this model
for the U.S. government.
 
Another French philosophe, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), wrote about politics in a work
called The Social Contract. In Rousseau’s ideal society, people would be
able to vote on the laws they must follow rather than merely obeying laws
imposed on them by a ruler or rulers. While Rousseau
supported democracy, he also wrote about other topics. These included
how children should be educated and the benefits of spending time in
nature. Rousseau believed that human beings are inherently good, but are
corrupted by the evils of society. He considered science, art and social
 
institutions to be a part of what corrupts. He believed that the only way to
get back to that goodness that human beings are born with is to be as close to nature as possible.

Although some European rulers opposed Enlightenment ideas and tried to censor these writers
and others tried to put their ideas into practice. Frederick II, ruler of Prussia, a German state, even
invited Voltaire to stay with him at court for a time. Frederick II—known also as Frederick the Great
because of his military victories—was considered an “enlightened despot.” This term means that he
used enlightenment ideas to create some legal reforms but never took actions that threatened his own
power or significantly changed the structure of his society. A despot is someone who rules with
unlimited power.

Enlightenment ideas flowed from France, across Europe, and beyond. Everywhere, thinkers
examined traditional beliefs and customs in the light of reason and found them flawed. In time, they
would inspire some Europeans to rise up against their rulers.

1 – 8. Write one of the bold, underlined words from the reading next to its synonym or definition:

Word from reading Synonym/Definition

1. philosophes A group of French thinkers from the 18th Century.
2. censor Suppress the information of…
3. rationalism A belief that opinions and actions should be based on reason.
4. separation of powers Dividing government responsibilities into different branches.
5. despot A ruler with unlimited power.
6. individualism A theory favoring freedom of action for individuals.
7. social contract An implicit agreement between people and government.
8. natural rights Basic human rights that people are born with.

9 – 13. Match each philosopher’s written work with the name of the philosopher who created it.
Book written Philosopher who wrote it
9. Two Treatises on Government John Locke
10. The Social Contract Jean-Jacques Rousseau
11. The Spirit of the Laws Montesquieu
12. Leviathan Thomas Hobbes
13. Candide Voltaire
14-20. Answer the following questions based on the reading:

14. Comprehension: How did the new way of thinking (the dawn of enlightenment) affect
traditional views supported by the Christian church?

European philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers rejected traditional views and focused
on people’s ability to understand the world through reason.

15. Comprehension: How were the Enlightenment philosophers different from earlier
philosophers?

Enlightenment thinkers claimed that the individual was important and that individual rights
were necessary.

16. Prediction: How do you think the ideas of rationalism and individualism lead to revolutions (the
overthrowing of government) with the American colonies and the French?

Answers will vary.

17. Comprehension: From the reading, which 2 philosophers were from England?

______Thomas Hobbes___________ ________John Locke________

18. Comprehension: From the reading, which 3 philosophers were from France?

____Voltaire______ ____Montesquieu____ ____Jean-Jacques Roussea____

19. Opinion: Which of the 5 Enlightenment philosophers from the reading do you think has the
most important idea about how government should rule? Why?

Answers will vary.

20. Opinion: Which of the 5 Enlightenment philosophers from the reading do you not agree with or
you think has the least important idea about how government should rule? Why?

Answers will vary.

21-25. Match each picture of Enlightenment ideas to the philosopher that created it. Use the reading
to help you decide.

21.  Philosopher:    Jean-­‐Jacques  Rousseau   22.  Philosopher:  Thomas  Hobbes  

Government “People  are  

naturally  aggressive  

+ and  n eed  strong  

rulers!”  

People
                                                                                                               

23.  Philosopher:    John  Locke   24.  Philosopher:  Montesquieu  

 
Separation  of  Powers  
ü Life
ü Liberty
ü Property
Executive   Legislative   Judicial  

25.  Philosopher:  Voltaire