Things have changed and definitely for the better. The Enlightenment' or 'Age of Reason' was an intellectual movement in thinking in 17th and 18th centuries,which moved society's thinking from religious thinking to rational thought. Rational and scientific thought had led to an improved society and human beings' way of life, The philosophes believed in common that human freedom was necessary to improve a society.
John Locke, the English philosophe, strongly believed that individual freedom was an important foundation of good government. As stated in his book, Second Treatise on Civil Government, all people were born free, had equal rights and had abilities to create their own government with legislative and executive functions. He also …show more content…
Allowing people to choose their own religion can avoid religious conflict. He also argued in the Letter Concerning the English Nation that people of various religions could live together in peace.
In economics aspect, Adam Smith, the Scottish philosophe, stated in his work "Wealth of Nations" that people should have economic freedom and be able to make decisions for themselves. This would be beneficial for both individual and the whole society. Smith also mentioned that "invisible hand" was a force that guides individuals to maximize their own interests, which would lead to the best benefit of the whole market.
Finally, there was a thought on equality among men and women as we had seen in Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication on the Rights of Woman". She believed that in order to promote women's equality, women must be equally educated and free to pursue the education as men in all areas and subjects. Her idea on the importance of individual freedom was similar to the ideas of John Locke, Voltaire, and Adam Smith.
Although each of the philosophes had his or her own ideas in building individual's happiness and better society, they all agreed that individual freedom was an important key to improve the society in many aspects, including government, religion, economics and social equality. . In conclusion, Individual freedom was the main idea of the Enlightenment philosophes and had affected all human beings in all areas of life. It had also influenced other thinkers and several political and social revolutions around the
John Locke, the English philosophe, strongly believed that individual freedom was an important foundation of good government. As stated in his book, Second Treatise on Civil Government, all people were born free, had equal rights and had abilities to create their own government with legislative and executive functions. He also …show more content…
Allowing people to choose their own religion can avoid religious conflict. He also argued in the Letter Concerning the English Nation that people of various religions could live together in peace.
In economics aspect, Adam Smith, the Scottish philosophe, stated in his work "Wealth of Nations" that people should have economic freedom and be able to make decisions for themselves. This would be beneficial for both individual and the whole society. Smith also mentioned that "invisible hand" was a force that guides individuals to maximize their own interests, which would lead to the best benefit of the whole market.
Finally, there was a thought on equality among men and women as we had seen in Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication on the Rights of Woman". She believed that in order to promote women's equality, women must be equally educated and free to pursue the education as men in all areas and subjects. Her idea on the importance of individual freedom was similar to the ideas of John Locke, Voltaire, and Adam Smith.
Although each of the philosophes had his or her own ideas in building individual's happiness and better society, they all agreed that individual freedom was an important key to improve the society in many aspects, including government, religion, economics and social equality. . In conclusion, Individual freedom was the main idea of the Enlightenment philosophes and had affected all human beings in all areas of life. It had also influenced other thinkers and several political and social revolutions around the