,Topic 5.1 The Enlightenment
Cultural Developments and Interactions
● The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and
the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications.
For each of the grids below, complete the relevant information about given Enlightenment philosophe. Select THREE
from the list below:
● Jean Jacques Rousseau
● Baron de Montesquieu
● Thomas Hobbes
● Rene Descartes
● John Locke
● Voltaire
Philosopher 1: John Locke
Country of England Key Text(s):
Origin:
● An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
● Two Treatises of Government
● A Letter Concerning Toleration
Core Philosophical Beliefs ● Empiricism (knowledge from experience)
● Natural Rights
● Social Contract
● Limited Government
● Religious Toleration
Philosopher 2: Thomas Hobbes
Country of England Key Text(s):
Origin:
● Leviathan
● De Cive
, ● The Element of Law
● Behemoth
Core Philosophical Beliefs ● Humans are materialistic and egotistical beings
● State of Nature (A chaotic condition before government
such as perceptual war because people have a “natural
right” to everything)
● Social Contract
● Sovereignty
Philosopher 3: Baron de Montesquieu
Country of France Key Text(s):
Origin:
● The Spirit of the Laws
● The Persian Letters
● Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the
Romans and of their Decline
Core Philosophical Beliefs ● Separation of Powers
● Limited Government
● Rule of Law
● Importance of Justice and Liberty
● Enlightenment philosophies applied new ways of understanding and empiricist approaches to both the
natural world and human relationships; they also reexamined the role that religion played in public life
Cultural Developments and Interactions
● The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and
the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications.
For each of the grids below, complete the relevant information about given Enlightenment philosophe. Select THREE
from the list below:
● Jean Jacques Rousseau
● Baron de Montesquieu
● Thomas Hobbes
● Rene Descartes
● John Locke
● Voltaire
Philosopher 1: John Locke
Country of England Key Text(s):
Origin:
● An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
● Two Treatises of Government
● A Letter Concerning Toleration
Core Philosophical Beliefs ● Empiricism (knowledge from experience)
● Natural Rights
● Social Contract
● Limited Government
● Religious Toleration
Philosopher 2: Thomas Hobbes
Country of England Key Text(s):
Origin:
● Leviathan
● De Cive
, ● The Element of Law
● Behemoth
Core Philosophical Beliefs ● Humans are materialistic and egotistical beings
● State of Nature (A chaotic condition before government
such as perceptual war because people have a “natural
right” to everything)
● Social Contract
● Sovereignty
Philosopher 3: Baron de Montesquieu
Country of France Key Text(s):
Origin:
● The Spirit of the Laws
● The Persian Letters
● Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the
Romans and of their Decline
Core Philosophical Beliefs ● Separation of Powers
● Limited Government
● Rule of Law
● Importance of Justice and Liberty
● Enlightenment philosophies applied new ways of understanding and empiricist approaches to both the
natural world and human relationships; they also reexamined the role that religion played in public life
