Question

key thinkers

1. according to thomas hobbes, what is life like without government? why did he support a strong ruler?
2. how did john lockes ideas about government differ from hobbes?
3. montesquieu argued for \separation of powers.\ how do we see this idea in the u.s. constitution today?
4. voltaire defended freedom of speech even for people he disagreed with. why is it important to protect speech we dislike — and where should society draw the line (if anywhere)?
5. voltaire often got in trouble for criticizing kings, the church, and powerful people. in todays world, do you think criticizing authority is easier or harder than it was in the 1700s? why?
6. rousseau said \man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.\ what do you think he meant?
7. what did mary wollstonecraft argue for, and how does her work connect to modern discussions about gender equality?

critical thinking & connections

1. do you think hobbes view of human nature (selfish and violent) or lockes view (reasonable and capable of improvement) is closer to reality today? explain your reasoning.
2. if rousseau believed society corrupts people, what might he say about the impact of social media on young people today?
3. many enlightenment thinkers supported freedom and equality, but some ignored women, enslaved people, and the poor. how should we deal with this contradiction when studying history?
4. which enlightenment idea do you think is most at risk in todays world — freedom of speech, religious tolerance, or democracy? why?
5. if you could invite one enlightenment thinker to give a speech to congress today, who would you choose and what issue would you want them to address?
6. being enlightened means that being really smart and using your brain to figure things out. an example is when a person might try to solve problems with logic instead of just doing things the old way.
7. natural rights: life, liberty, property belong to everyone. they are important to enlightenment thinkers because they believed people were born with these rights and the government should protect them.
8. a social constant is like a deal between the people and the government, the people give the government some power so the government can keep them safe, and make sure things are fair.

Explanation:

These answers draw on the key ideas of Enlightenment thinkers and apply them to modern - day contexts. For each question, relevant historical theories and contemporary issues are considered. For example, when discussing Hobbes and Locke, their fundamental views on human nature are presented and then related to modern society. For questions about freedom of speech and gender equality, the historical stances of the thinkers are connected to current debates. When dealing with the contradiction in Enlightenment thought, a balanced approach to historical study is proposed. And for the invitation question, a thinker is chosen based on a relevant modern - day issue.

Answer:

1. According to Thomas Hobbes, life without government is a "war of all against all," a state of nature characterized by chaos, violence, and insecurity. He supported a strong ruler because he believed only an absolute sovereign with supreme power could impose order and protect people from the brutality of the state of nature.
2. John Locke's ideas about government differed from Hobbes' in that Locke believed people are naturally reasonable and moral, and have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He advocated for a limited - government that exists to protect these rights, while Hobbes saw people as inherently selfish and violent, requiring an all - powerful ruler for control.
3. Montesquieu's idea of "separation of powers" is seen in the U.S. Constitution today through the division of the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, and they act as checks and balances on one another to prevent the concentration of power.
4. It is important to protect speech we dislike because it is a fundamental aspect of freedom of speech, which is essential for a democratic society. However, society may draw the line at speech that incites violence, hate speech that targets specific groups, or slander and libel.
5. In today's world, criticizing authority may be both easier and harder than in the 1700s. It is easier in the sense that there are more platforms for free expression, such as social media. However, it can also be harder as there are more surveillance mechanisms and potential for online harassment or legal consequences.
6. Rousseau's statement "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains" suggests that society and its institutions limit people's natural freedom. He might say that social media, as a modern - day social institution, could be corrupting young people by creating false ideals, promoting conformity, and limiting their true freedom of thought and action.
7. Mary Wollstonecraft argued for women's rights, including the right to education and equality in political and social life. Her work connects to modern discussions about gender equality as it laid the foundation for the feminist movement, highlighting the need for women to be treated as equals to men in all aspects of society.
8. Regarding whether Hobbes' or Locke's view of human nature is closer to reality today, it depends on one's perspective. Some may see selfish and violent behavior in society, supporting Hobbes' view, while others may point to acts of altruism, cooperation, and the progress of human civilization as evidence for Locke's view.
9. When studying history and dealing with the contradiction that many Enlightenment thinkers supported freedom and equality but ignored women, enslaved people, and the poor, we should recognize the historical context in which they lived while also critically evaluating their ideas. We can use these contradictions to understand the evolution of ideas about equality and to strive for a more inclusive understanding of freedom and rights today.
10. If inviting an Enlightenment thinker to give a speech to Congress today, one might choose John Locke to address issues related to the protection of individual rights in the face of increasing government surveillance and the balance between security and liberty.