Bio

Major works

Rousseau 1712 Switzerland lives in Paris influenced Diderot Believes in natural goodness of men roman catholic Ppl better b/4 society Private property and social organization created problems -Profession of Faith of Savoyard Vicar Ppl should be educated in religion. Uses idea of inner light. Everyone has free will. Opposes orthodox Christian. Supports any faith which IDs G-d as creator. Social Contract- ppl should be governed in order to maintain order and be civilized.

Locke 1632 England Raised Puritan Works w/ Boyle (chem. Guy) Eventually moves to Holland where he writes books.

Hobbes b. 1588 England, met Galileo & Descartes. Flees England and France to escape arrest b/c works controversial.

Montesquieu 1689 France raised w/ peasants which influence his ideas on govt and peasants. Studied law and dislikes French govt. Raised Catholic and married protestant Inherent leadership and dollars from uncle. The Spirit of the Law- encourages separation of powers, constitutionalism, and talks about social and geographic characteristic of region determine which type of government to be followed. The Persian Letters- satire, composed of letter b/t two noblemen.

Smith b. 1723 Scotland, b/c professor at Glasgow, and b/c tutor to Henry Scott

Two Treatises of Government1) criticized divine right of king 2) proposed solution to political upheaval in England. Letter Concerning TolerationArgues for new understanding of the relationship b/t religion and politics

Leviathanall men are evil and fight for multiple reasons. Common power or ruler necc. Otherwise ppl will fight each other.

The Wealth of Nationsfree market is who should monitor business. Argues for Laissez faire policies by governments towards the economy. Theory of Moral Sentimentspeople naturally sympathize with others.

View of man

Discourse on political economyTalks about general will, not will of majority, but of political state. Ppl cant insure own survival without coming t/g and forming association to protect rights of others. All ppl have to accept general will and rule. The vote of majority binds fate of group. Believes in Participation and not representation.

Conception of human nature ppl capable of self rule esp. through reason. Ppl can individually can manage own affairs in way that is more or less consistent with interest of others. View of human nature is optimistic and believes in natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Ppl naturally bad. Born greedy, selfish, needy. Goal they want to satisfy through entire life. Which is achieving riches and b/c wealthy. Although he believes they are greedy and selfish, he thinks they are all equal with equal opp to get riches. Weakest can kill strongest and strongest can kill weakest.

Believes in separation of powers, if one man or person has all power b/c corrupt.

Political/ economic philosophy

Wealth burdens a man, b/c of hereditary wealth you force ppl to submit to you

Argued ppl have rights- life, liberty, property. Men are naturally free & =. Against absolute monarchy- feels need govt, but

Without law there is no justice. Absolute ruler ship is necessary to suppress evil

No one person should have all power: 3 branches- jud, exe, leg. Checks and Balances to maintain balance

Wrote Theory of Moral Sentiments which discusses view of man, believes ppl born w/ all their morals, have innate ideas of beauty and harmony. Doctrine of Impartial Spectatorconscious determines whether you think something is good or bad. Morality product of nature not reason. Ppl act according to their own self interest. Believes govt shouldnt be involved in the economy (laissez faire).

and society should even out disparity among the classes. By forming govt without class structure as much, gives lower classes more power. Evens out economic and political unbalance.

represented by ppl. PPl have right to replace government that does not protect their rights.

intent of people. There will be chaos without a strong leader or government of strong leaders.

of power among branches. Different types of govt better for different geographic areas (smaller more freedom, larger stronger ruler).

Invisible hand of the market- ppl naturally act in their own self interest, but that if all do, it helps the economy.