The Enlightenment

John Locke (1632-1704)

Well educated, Puritan family. Became interested in the new science. Emphasized individual rights. Agreed with Hobbes about the rise of government, but thought that God was the prime factor in politics. People are born with God-given rights.

The Enlightenment

John Locke (1632-1704)

People were rewarded based upon their industriousness. But, people should not accumulate too much money. Otherwise, society could become a horrible place. People need a sense of order. How to achieve order while maximizing individual liberties?

The Enlightenment

John Locke (1632-1704)

Gods law created a moral imperative that prevented humans from pursuing a freefor-all. People accepted government out of a sense of convenience and the need for protection. People give up rights to a protective government.

The Enlightenment

John Locke (1632-1704)

People came before and created government. Individual freedom! Private property! Individual freedom is the foundation of modern liberal democracy. Because property was God-given, people should leave enough for all to have some.

The Enlightenment

John Locke (1632-1704)

The contract society was composed of persons with property. The trustee government protected those with property. Importance of the separation of church and state. Let God judge, not zealots!

The Enlightenment

John Locke (1632-1704)

Thus, God gives us rights and moral imperatives to create a society for the benefit of individuals. Individuals, however, should not interpret Gods will. Let the law of the land govern people, under the guidance of Gods moral imperatives.

The Enlightenment

Jean Rousseau (1712-1778)

Son of an academic elite. The Social Contract Nature ordained that all men are equal and that the State is responsible for public order. People are equal and have the same goals. No person is above the law. Limited power of rulers.

The Enlightenment

Jean Rousseau (1712-1778)

Champion of a democratic society. The noble savage: Once man became self-conscious, society began to decline. With human pride comes divorce from nature. Man must now agree to create laws, equally formed by and binding to all.

The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment refers to writings in Western Europe and the American Colonies during the Eighteen century. The central theme was to create the perfect society here on Earth. Rejection of Aristocracy and Theocracy. Liberal individualism: meaning critical reasoning and opposition to traditional authority.

The Enlightenment
The power of human reason (critical thinking). The importance of science (observation). Progress through knowledge. Explore new ideas, think for yourself, value of education and practical knowledge. Kant, Hume, Franklin, Jefferson.

The Conservative Reaction

The need to maintain order. The importance of the state. Louis de Bonald: Return to medieval rule. Emphasis on: 1. Society as an organic unity. 2. Society is superior to individuals. 3. Individuals are abstractions. 4. The parts of society are interdependent.

The Conservative Reaction

Emphasis on: 5. Institutions are positive entities. 6. Institutions are functional. 7. Small groups are essential. 8. Preserve religious institutions. 9. People need ritual, tradition, worship. 10. Status and hierarchy are essential to society.

The Revolutions
Political Revolution The Age of Reason (Enlightenment). American Revolution Individual freedom, democracy. French Revolution Fall of the aristocracy. Fall of anarchy! Industrial Revolution Increase in productivity. Urbanization.

The Conservative Reaction

Henri Saint Simon (1760-1825)

Born into the aristocracy. Possible to discover the structure of society and its laws. Reliance upon natural sciences. Observation of patterns was essential. Look for organic structure of society. Create a science of social organization.

The Conservative Reaction

Henri Saint Simon (1760-1825)

Methodology: 1. Observe patterns. 2. Patterns will disclose laws. 3. Laws can be used to build the good society. The study of society should be based upon the principles of science (see: Newton).

The Conservative Reaction

Henri Saint Simon (1760-1825)

Social order through science. The rule of science as a religious force. Humanistic approach to social order. Need for order, discipline, and material productivity.

The Conservative Reaction

Henri Saint Simon (1760-1825)

Society would be controlled by: 1. Qualified experts. 2. Persons of position. The Planned society. The common people could not grasp the needs of an advanced society. Everyone must work and be productive.

Summary
The need to maintain order versus the rights of the individual. The power of ideas versus the power of material conditions. The importance of reason versus (and) the importance of observations. We can have a science of society. We can have a planned society.