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Enlightenment Philosophers: The Four Main Ideas

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These four Enlightenment philosophers all had the same main idea. The 17th and 18th centuries were the two centuries of the philosophers. The philosophers hoped to accomplish that nature is an excellent teacher. The philosophers believed careful observation and clear-headed reasoning were necessary to find out the truth of things. Find what the main idea is of the philosophers. All four philosophers, John Locke, Mary Wollstonecraft, Voltaire, and Smith, believed in freedom and people’s rights. John believed in freedom, equality, and liberty. Mary believed that women are capable of reaching equality and should be given natural rights. Voltaire believed in freedom and people’s rights. Smith believed every individual has the freedom to trade and …show more content…

The Royal Exchange in London was where representatives of all nations meet for the benefit of mankind. According to Voltaire it is good that England allows a multitude of religions because they will live happy and in peace. Voltaire’s main idea about religion in society is to have it be multitude of religions. Voltaire’s main idea about religion and John Locke’s main idea about government both had ideas of freedom and people’s rights. Adam Smith believed in freedom and people’s rights. Adam supported individual decision-making. Most individuals work to support the industry according to Smith. When people pursue their own economic gain they often have a happy and unexpected result where he frequently promotes that of the society more effectively than when he intends to promote it. Adams Smith’s main idea about trade and economic decision making was that every individual has the freedom to trade and make their own decisions.
Mary Wollstonecraft believed that women are capable of reaching equality and they should be given natural rights. Mary was a british author who wrote novels. She wrote these words in 1792 during the French Revolution. She believed that women compared to men were not equal but in order to be they need to have the same education. To reach her conclusions Mary used reason and experience

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