The Role Of Philosophers During The Enlightenment

During the Enlightenment, four philosophers stood out amongst the others. Wollstonecraft, Locke, Smith and Voltaire’s actions inherently caused a ripple effect in which the world changed for the better. However, what exactly were the Enlightenment Philosophers main ideas? The philosophers believed in the equality of the individual and sought out to affect the world in favour of the people inhabiting it. One of the most important philosophers of the bunch, Wollstonecraft was the only woman who sought out to change the thoughts men had when regarding the education and intellect of women. She believed that if given a higher education, women could outsmart and reason with men. “Make them free, and they will quickly become wise and virtuous.” (Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman). Using herself as evidence, she changed the minds of any who would listen and shaped what we know as Gender Equality that we have today. A believer of the Freedom of Government, Locke was an intellectual Englishman born in 1632. His thoughts on government were those of equal rights, and believed that all humans were equal in terms of government, and deserved the right to have an effect on their country. “...creatures of the same species and rank… should also be equal one …show more content…
The world changed for the better, simply caused by an Age of Enlightenment. The Philosophers created the social contract, which in turn led them to question the rights of the individual. If they had never created the social contract, we may not have our Natural Rights, “Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness.”. The United States of America was based off these rights, and without them, they would’ve been very different. Wollstonecraft, Smith, Locke and Voltaire were all important of the shaping of Democracy. Without them, the world would’ve been a very different