Enlightenment Thinkers and Concepts

Front

Enlightenment

Back

18th-century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society.

Front

Social Contract

Back

Agreement by which people define and limit their individual rights, thus creating an organized society or government.

Front

John Locke

Back

Declared that people have a right to rebel against governments that do not protect their rights.

Front

Philosophe

Back

One of a group of social thinkers in France during the Enlightenment. French word for philosopher.

Front

Rationalism

Back

Belief that truth could be found through reason or logical thinking.

Front

Voltaire

Back

French philosopher and author who believed in tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech.

Front

Montesquieu

Back

proposed a government divided into three branches and greatly influenced the United States Constitution.

Front

Rousseau

Back

Wrote The Social Contract; championed the freedom of the individual and the notion that all people were equal.