French Philosophes and Enlightenment Ideas

A specific type of French philosopher existing during the Enlightenment period.

Human advancement through knowledge, technology, and social reform, moving beyond ignorance and cruelty.

Belief in a non-interventionist God discovered through reason and observation of the natural world, rejecting supernatural explanations.

Acceptance of differing views and beliefs, crucial to challenging intolerance and superstition.

Historical period, emphasizing reason and individualism, which influenced the Philosophes.

The exchange of ideas and customs across Europe, leading to a shift in perspectives about superiority.

Philosophes opposed traditional beliefs and practices that lacked logical basis.

The three stages (knowledge of natural world, rejection of ignorance, elimination of social cruelty) of progress proposed by the philosophers to explain how humanity develops.

Dividing government power among different branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent any one group from becoming too powerful.

A system of government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, each with defined powers.

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, preventing abuses of power.

Montesquieu's ideas greatly influenced liberal and democratic constitutions, especially the concept of separation of powers.

In a republic, the people hold supreme power as both rulers and citizens.

The right to vote, restricted to educated elites.

Montesquieu argued that the qualities of those in power are more crucial than the type of government.

Montesquieu believed that the church should have no political role within the state.

Voltaire believed in God, but thought faith should be based on reason, not visible things.

Voltaire saw religion as a social tool, fulfilling societal needs, but not directly revealed by God.

A type of government where enlightened leaders use reason to rule.

Voltaire didn't support democracy, believing that only enlightened individuals were able to lead.

If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.

An intellectual device proposing an agreement among citizens about the form of government they accept.

A God of love, not reason, perceived in nature and within oneself, not needing institutionalised clergy.

Establish the 'optimum political community' by regulating relations between individuals and the government.

Focuses on the principles of political rights and is a highly influential work in political philosophy.

Rousseau believed a church and clergy are neither necessary nor guarantees of happiness, believing God is in everything.

Rousseau's concept of humanity before the development of organized society and laws; characterized by innate goodness and freedom.

Rousseau believed the introduction of private property marked the beginning of societal evils, inequality, and conflict.

Civilization, according to Rousseau, corrupts natural human goodness through inequality and social conflict, leading to moral decline.

Rousseau highlighted how social and financial inequality emerge from the established notions of private property and ownership.

Rousseau argued that all humans have inherent rights to life, equality, and liberty; rights which cannot be violated by any authority.

A societal agreement proposed by Rousseau where individuals voluntarily surrender some freedoms for the common good and the collective preservation of order.

A philosophical work by Rousseau critiquing the social and political injustices in the human community, emphasizing that private property is the source of these issues.

Rousseau explored how to restore the natural goodness of humankind in a civil society while upholding and respecting rights, equality, and freedom.

A concept where all citizens agree to an agreement for their mutual preservation, establishing legitimate political authority to regulate relationships between individuals and their government.

To create the best possible political community by establishing rules for how individuals relate to each other and the government.

Freedom isn't about doing whatever you want; it's about not being forced to do things against your will.

Natural liberty is exchanged for civil liberty; natural rights are exchanged for legal rights in a social contract.

Individuals willingly exchange personal freedom for benefits of social cooperation by agreeing to laws that they help create.

The collective will of the people, prioritizing public interest over individual desires, in a society governed by agreement, where every member has equal rights.

An individual's personal desires and interests, which might conflict with the general good.

An agreement among individuals in a society to surrender some freedoms for the common good and the collective preservation of order.

A political system where citizens directly participate in decision-making, rather than electing representatives.

Matters that benefit the entire community, as opposed to exclusive private gains.

The general will aims to safeguard personal liberty, with the collective ensuring individual freedoms are not compromised.

The potential failure of a state when the general will is weakened and private interests supersede public good, leading to its fall.

His ideas significantly influenced the concept of popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, and the understanding of natural human rights.