Overview
This lecture covers the Enlightenment, emphasizing its political ideas and their influence on the American Revolution, focusing on key philosophers and concepts like natural rights, government legitimacy, and economic theories.
The Enlightenment: Definition and Purpose
- The Enlightenment was a 17th-18th century European movement promoting reason, philosophy, and the scientific method.
- Its purpose was to improve life for all people through advancements in science, medicine, and especially politics.
- Enlightenment ideas spread from Europe to North America, influencing the American Revolution.
Political Ideas of the Enlightenment
- Europeans began questioning absolute monarchs (rulers with total power) during the Enlightenment.
- The movement emphasized individual rights and questioned traditional authority.
- Enlightenment thinkers promoted the idea that government should exist to protect people’s rights.
Rights: Types and Sources
- A "right" is an entitlement to have something or act in a certain way.
- Legal rights are granted by governments and can differ by country.
- John Locke introduced "natural rights"—fundamental rights all humans have by birth, not granted by government.
- Locke’s three natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
Natural Rights Explained
- Life: The right to protect one’s own existence and self-defense.
- Liberty: The freedom to live as one chooses, provided it doesn’t harm others’ rights.
- Property: The right to own and control possessions and the fruits of one’s labor.
Objective vs. Subjective Morality
- Objective morality: Some actions are universally right or wrong.
- Subjective morality: Right and wrong depend on individual or cultural preferences.
- The existence of natural rights depends on the idea of objective morality.
The Social Contract and Purpose of Government
- "State of nature": Life without government, where people have total freedom.
- "Social contract": People agree to give up some freedoms and form a government that protects their rights.
- Locke: Government's main role is to protect natural rights; if it fails, people should replace it.
- The best government requires consent of the governed and limits on surrendered freedoms.
Key Enlightenment Philosophers
- John Locke: Favored democracy and government by consent.
- Thomas Hobbes: Believed people are naturally self-interested; supported a strong absolute ruler for order.
- Montesquieu: Advocated "separation of powers" into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent corruption.
- Voltaire: Supported freedom of thought, speech, expression, and religious tolerance.
- Adam Smith: Critiqued mercantilism and promoted capitalism—an economic system based on free markets, competition, and property rights.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Enlightenment — European movement promoting reason, science, and individual rights.
- Absolute Monarch — Ruler with complete, unchecked power.
- Natural Rights — Rights individuals have by birth (life, liberty, property).
- Legal Rights — Rights granted by laws or governments.
- Social Contract — Agreement to form government for mutual protection.
- Objective Morality — Universal standards of right and wrong.
- Subjective Morality — Morality based on individual or cultural opinions.
- Separation of Powers — Division of government into branches to prevent abuse.
- Capitalism — Economic system favoring free markets and competition.
- Mercantilism — Economic policy of maximizing exports and minimizing imports.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on whether morality and rights are objective or subjective.
- Consider how Enlightenment ideas appear in the U.S. founding documents.
- Review the contributions of Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Adam Smith.
- Prepare questions or thoughts for discussion on government legitimacy and freedom.