Government
Enlightenment thinkers were concerned with how man would be without the constraints of authority and tradition. They believed that reason and rationality should guide individuals and society, advocating for freedom, equality, and progress. They sought to establish a society based on principles of individual liberty and governance by consent.
Enlightenment thinkers believe that individuals should have a say in the laws and policies that affect them. Taxation without representation denies people the ability to participate in the decision-making process, which goes against the principles of political equality and consent of the governed. This lack of representation was seen as unjust and oppressive by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Paine.
Thinkers of the Renaissance tended to emphasize a balance between faith and reason, seeing them as complementary paths to truth. In contrast, Enlightenment thinkers prioritized reason over faith, promoting the idea that human reason and scientific inquiry were the most reliable paths to knowledge and progress.
Enlightenment thinkers believed in the idea of individuals having inherent rights and freedoms. They saw democracy as a way to ensure that these rights were protected and that government power was limited and held accountable to the people. They believed that a democratic system would help prevent tyranny and foster a more just and equitable society.
Switzerland and the Netherlands were the most liberal countries at the time so the philosophes/enlightenment thinkers would have their books published there because they risked it being banned or burned if they tried to publish somewhere else. The peak of the Enlightenment was in France, however, because: 1). French was the international language (similar to what English is today) 2). French intellectuals were not persecuted or punished severely 3). French people had the habit of preaching their ideas to the public
Enlightenment thinkers were concerned with how man would be without the constraints of authority and tradition. They believed that reason and rationality should guide individuals and society, advocating for freedom, equality, and progress. They sought to establish a society based on principles of individual liberty and governance by consent.
The great thinkers from the Age of Enlightenment were concerned with how people were capable of self government. Self government is not without government and if people are capable of governing themselves, they are certainly capable of forming governments (artifices), to establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense and promote the general Welfare of the self governed. From John Locke, to Adam Smith to Thomas Hobbes and Thomas Paine, the great thinkers of the Enlightenment were concerned with how people would be with government. From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, from George Washington to John Adams the great thinkers of the Age of Enlightenment were concerned with how governments should be with people.
Paris
Enlightenment thinkers believe that individuals should have a say in the laws and policies that affect them. Taxation without representation denies people the ability to participate in the decision-making process, which goes against the principles of political equality and consent of the governed. This lack of representation was seen as unjust and oppressive by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Paine.
Enlightenment thinkers
The Enlightenment was heavily influenced by the Scientific Revolution, as it emphasized reason, empirical evidence, and skepticism of traditional authority. The advancements in scientific thought encouraged Enlightenment thinkers to apply similar rational approaches to philosophy, politics, and society. While the Enlightenment could have occurred without the Scientific Revolution, the latter provided a crucial framework that shaped its ideas and ideals. Thus, the two movements are deeply interconnected, with the Scientific Revolution serving as a catalyst for Enlightenment thought.
Enlightenment thinkers viewed taxation without representation as fundamentally unjust because it violated the social contract between the government and its citizens. They believed that legitimate government authority derived from the consent of the governed, and imposing taxes without their consent undermined individual rights and freedoms. This principle was central to their advocacy for democratic governance and the protection of personal liberties, leading to widespread discontent with oppressive regimes that ignored the voices of the people. Thus, taxation without representation was seen as an infringement on both political and economic liberty.
The Enlightenment likely would not have occurred in the same way without the Scientific Revolution, as the latter laid the groundwork for questioning traditional authorities and emphasized reason, observation, and empirical evidence. The scientific advancements during the 16th and 17th centuries encouraged Enlightenment thinkers to apply rational thought to various aspects of society, including politics, philosophy, and ethics. This intellectual shift fostered a culture of inquiry and skepticism that was essential for the development of Enlightenment ideals. Thus, while some elements of the Enlightenment may have emerged independently, the Scientific Revolution was a crucial catalyst for its broader acceptance and evolution.
Enlightenment thinkers and authors often met at salons hosted by influential women in Paris during the 18th century. Some famous salons were hosted by Madame Geoffrin, Madame de Tencin, and Madame de Pompadour, where intellectuals would gather to discuss philosophy, politics, and literature.
Thinkers of the Renaissance tended to emphasize a balance between faith and reason, seeing them as complementary paths to truth. In contrast, Enlightenment thinkers prioritized reason over faith, promoting the idea that human reason and scientific inquiry were the most reliable paths to knowledge and progress.
Thinkers of the Enlightenment sought to establish laws based on reason, logic, and natural rights. They aimed to create laws that would protect individual freedoms, limit the power of the government, and promote equality and justice in society. Overall, they advocated for rule of law and the protection of basic human rights.
Enlightenment thinkers believed in the idea of individuals having inherent rights and freedoms. They saw democracy as a way to ensure that these rights were protected and that government power was limited and held accountable to the people. They believed that a democratic system would help prevent tyranny and foster a more just and equitable society.