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Social contract: Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

lived during the period of English civil war.

in Leviathan, he wrote that before civil society was formed, humans lived in a state of nature where life was “nasty, brutish and short.” People, he concluded, are selfish. They are moved chiefly by desire for power and by fear of others.

Thus, individuals come together to form a government for the purpose of self-preservation.

Individual pooled their power and granted it to the ruler.

Social contract: john locke

John Locke (1632-1704)

In Two Treatises on Government, Locke argued that all people have the right to “life, liberty and property.” In order to facilitate these rights, individuals come together and form a government.

However, the powers of government need to be limited; no government can violate the individual’s natural rights. If it does, the people have the right to overthrow it. According to Locke, this is what the English did during the Glorious Revolution

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

Montesquieu argued that political institutions should conform to the climate, customs, beliefs and economy of a particular country. For example, limited monarchy worked best for moderate sized countries like France.

Republican government worked best for small states like Venice or ancient Athens.

Moreover, each government should have a separation of powers and system of checks and balances. The executive, legislative and judicial branch prevented absolute power of any single governing body.

Adam Smith (1723- 1790)

A philosophy professor and proponent of laissez-faire (“hands off”) economics.

By nature, Smith argued, individual who are allowed to pursue rationally their own economic self-interest would benefit society and themselves.

He believed that free trade and a self-regulating economy would result in social progress. He criticized tariffs and other limits on individual freedom in trade. He wrote that government needed only to keep order, defend the nation, and provide basic services.

Famous Publications: “The Wealth of Nations” (1776)

Denis Diderot (1713-1784)

Diderot was a writer and philosopher; his most famous role was as chief editor and co-founder of the first Encyclopedia.

The Encyclopedia attempted to explore all of human knowledge. The encyclopedia demonstrated how scientific analysis could be applied to all subjects.

Contributors included many philosophies who attacked religious superstition and advocated toleration as well as a program for social, legal, and political improvements.

Church authorities and government officials censored it, stopped its publication and harassed its editors. Despite these obstacles, the project was finished in 1772

American Enlightenment Figures

Benjamin Franklin: diplomat, printer, inventor, linguist, author, abolitionist

Thomas Jefferson: statesman, linguist, architect, archaeologist, political thinker, author of the Declaration of Independence. Firm believer of religious freedom and tolerance.

Deism

Deism places high importance on scientific theory, and regards supernatural occurrences as impossible.

In the deist view, God exists, but does not interact personally with the universe. Deism also places high value on human reason.

Deists regarded Bible stories containing miracles as little more than myths.

Deism influenced Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams

Source: Deism & the Founding Fathers: Definition & Beliefs, Study.com