The Enlightenment philosophy challenged the rule of monarchy and the Catholic Church, promoting a new society based on reason instead of traditions. This was an intellectual and philosophical movement dominating the ideas in Europe during the 18th century. Many philosophers fueled this intellectual and philosophical movement, thus initiating the French Revolution. The philosophers Jean-Jacque Rousseau, John Locke and Voltaire kindled inspiration in french citizens to act on the ideas of equal rights, freedom of religion, and fair judgment. It can be said that John Locke ideas had the greatest effects on the revolution because his ideas were adapted by other philosophers and grown upon.
John Locke had a profound influence on the philosophers Voltaire and Rousseau; as well as on many other French thinkers prior to the French Revolution. He held the …show more content…
Similar to Rousseau, his writings were based on being against absolute power, human cruelty, discrimination and war. He used satire writing as his tool to deliver his messages which were all against injustice and cruelty that currently resided in the French monarch. He felt that logical, standardized and ordered thinking should be applied to all areas of human activity; unlike the Monarchs who claimed to rule by divine right. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech were at the forefront of his messages in many of his writings. Like many other thinkers Voltaire thought people should have the right to free speech and freedom of religion. Later his ideas were reflected by the representatives of the French who wrote in The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizens “No one may be disturbed because of his opinions, even religious, provided that their public demonstration does no disturb the public order established by law...” This used Voltaire’s ideas of religious freedom and declared all French citizens free to practise any religion of their
John Locke had a profound influence on the philosophers Voltaire and Rousseau; as well as on many other French thinkers prior to the French Revolution. He held the …show more content…
Similar to Rousseau, his writings were based on being against absolute power, human cruelty, discrimination and war. He used satire writing as his tool to deliver his messages which were all against injustice and cruelty that currently resided in the French monarch. He felt that logical, standardized and ordered thinking should be applied to all areas of human activity; unlike the Monarchs who claimed to rule by divine right. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech were at the forefront of his messages in many of his writings. Like many other thinkers Voltaire thought people should have the right to free speech and freedom of religion. Later his ideas were reflected by the representatives of the French who wrote in The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizens “No one may be disturbed because of his opinions, even religious, provided that their public demonstration does no disturb the public order established by law...” This used Voltaire’s ideas of religious freedom and declared all French citizens free to practise any religion of their