The Role Of Government During The Age Of Enlightenment

In the 17th and 18th century a group of philosophers discussed religious, political, economical, and social questions beginning the age of reason. During the age of enlightenment the philosophes discussed problems plaguing the rights of the individual. Having a government based on the individuals in a society is the main idea that came across each of the philosophers works. After discussing government the philosophes decided that the individuals should have power over the government and not the government over the individual. John Locke stated that “When the government is dissolved, the people are at liberty to provide for themselves, by erecting a new legislative” (Locke). Locke explains how a government is made for the people and should always benefit the individual rights. In Voltaire’s studies of religion he found that having a tolerate government allows there to be a balance of power between all religions in a society. In Voltaire’s book he explains the possible benefits of religion in government “If one religion only were allowed in england, the government would very possibly become arbitrary; if there were but two, the people would cut one another's throats; but as there are such a multitude, they all live happy and in peace” …show more content…
In most of her studies wollenscraft says that to create a truly free society all people must be educated and given the proper level of preparation to become apart of the society. “To render mankind more virtuous, and happier of course, both sexes must act from the same principle;... women must be allowed to found their virtue on knowledge, which is scarcely possible unless they be educated by the same pursuits as men” (Wollenscraft). In order to benefit a society everyone must be allowed to decide the outcomes of their lives as they will and must be given an education to have an impact in a