Mary Wollstonecraft And Adam Smith Analysis

The late 17th and 18th century was an important period filled with important people known as the Philosophers, this time is known as the Enlightenment or Age of Reason. These people came up with ideas used to make a perfect society and help West Europe become a better place to live. Mary Wollstonecraft, John Locke, Voltaire, and Adam Smith, all shared the same concept that every person should formulate and accomplish their own choices when it comes to Government, Economics, Social Rights, and Religion. Mary Wollstonecraft supported and strongly believed in the thought of equality. Wollstonecraft once wrote, “Men and women must be educated, in a great degree, by the opinions and manners of the society they live in.” Mary strongly believed that women should be treated in the same manner as men. Women, during this

“Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.”(Locke) He also believed only men were fit to run the ideal government. A government ran by men and created by free individuals would be best. Voltaire was a firm believer in freedom of religion. “The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost the power of reason.”(Voltaire) Freedom to religion is an important aspect to life. It allows individuals to express themselves and to have hope. Voltaire understood the conflict that would be created if there were to only be one religion. He plays a major role on individual freedom. Adam Smith strongly believed in economics and government. “He intends only his own gain, and he is in this...led by an invisible hand to promote an end which no part of his intention…” Smith believed that each person is able to achieve their own economic decisions that will allow society to prosper together. He speaks of how man works for his own gain, working for money to support themselves and their