Table of Contents
What are the main ideas of Enlightenment thinker Rousseau?
Rousseau argued that the general will of the people could not be decided by elected representatives. He believed in a direct democracy in which everyone voted to express the general will and to make the laws of the land. Rousseau had in mind a democracy on a small scale, a city-state like his native Geneva.
What Enlightenment thinker said you can overthrow the government?
Locke said that under natural law, all people have the right to life, liberty, and private property; under the social contract, the people could instigate a revolution against the government when it acted against the interests of citizens, to replace the government with one that served the interests of citizens.
Who are the 3 Enlightenment thinkers?
The American Revolution and the subsequent framework of American government were heavily influenced by John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Jean Jacques Rousseau – three Enlightenment philosophers who “developed theories of government in which some or even all the people would govern” (Constitutional Rights Foundation …
Who was John Locke Enlightenment?
The English philosopher and political theorist John Locke (1632-1704) laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contributions to the development of liberalism. Trained in medicine, he was a key advocate of the empirical approaches of the Scientific Revolution.
Why is Rousseau an Enlightenment thinker?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Francophone Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe. The Social Contract outlines the basis for a legitimate political order within a framework of classical republicanism.
Is it constitutional to overthrow the government?
–That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on …
Who is great thinkers of the Enlightenment?
Centered on the dialogues and publications of the French “philosophes” (Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Buffon and Denis Diderot), the High Enlightenment might best be summed up by one historian’s summary of Voltaire’s “Philosophical Dictionary”: “a chaos of clear ideas.” Foremost among these was the notion that …
Is Adam Smith an Enlightenment thinker?
Adam Smith was arguably the first great Enlightenment thinker to offer a thorough and considered response to the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the first great Counter-Enlightenment thinker.
What did the Enlightenment thinkers think about government?
Montesquieu He thought that the power of government should be divided among three separate branches Hobbes He thought that rebellion against the government was never justified Rousseau He thought that titles of nobility should be abolished Voltaire He supported religious toleration and freedom of thought Rousseau
Who was the most influential philosopher of the Enlightenment?
Voltaire Probably the most brilliant and influential of the philosophers was Francois Marie Arouet. Using the pen name Voltaire, he published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Voltaire never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and the freedom of speech.
What was one outcome of the Age of Enlightenment?
A second outcome was the rise of a more secular, or non-religious, outlook. During the Enlightenment, people began to question openly their religious beliefs and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Scientist began to discover that the mysteries of the universe could be explained mathematically.
What did Voltaire think about freedom of thought?
Voltaire He supported religious toleration and freedom of thought Rousseau He thought that people should make a contract with each other to follow the will of the majority Rousseau He thought that all people were equal Voltaire He is credited with saying “I may not agree with a word that you say but i will defend to the death your right to say it”