Top Dog Analysis: Enlightenment literary works
During the Age of Enlightenment, many philosophers began to analyze and write works about human rights, and inspired many future European events.
Thomas Hobbes, an English Enlightenment philosopher, wrote Leviathon in 1651. Leviathon was Thomas Hobbes’ theory that all humans were naturally evil and that the best way to maintain order was to have one monarch or total leader that would keep everyone in line. His ideas may have influenced the beginnings of totalitarian regimes such as Stalin’s Soviet Communism or Hitler and the Nazis, which controlled cititzens’ lives in violent and extreme ways.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a French enlightenment thinker. In 1764, he wrote The Social Contract. The social contract was similar to Leviathon, but instead, Rousseau wrote of how he believed humans were naturally good, and that the best government for society was to be completely democratic with a goal to reach everyone’s general will. Rousseau’s theory may have influenced politics such as socialism or utilitarianism, who wanted the greatest good for the greatest number.
Another English enlightenment philosopher, John Locke, made social influences. His 1690 Essay on Human Understanding advocated for his “tabula rasa” theory, which said that the human mind was blank until experience.
Altogether, the enlightenment thoughts, literary works, and figures caused many other sources to create new things. They were inspired to new movements by enlightenment discovery.
Thomas Hobbes, an English Enlightenment philosopher, wrote Leviathon in 1651. Leviathon was Thomas Hobbes’ theory that all humans were naturally evil and that the best way to maintain order was to have one monarch or total leader that would keep everyone in line. His ideas may have influenced the beginnings of totalitarian regimes such as Stalin’s Soviet Communism or Hitler and the Nazis, which controlled cititzens’ lives in violent and extreme ways.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a French enlightenment thinker. In 1764, he wrote The Social Contract. The social contract was similar to Leviathon, but instead, Rousseau wrote of how he believed humans were naturally good, and that the best government for society was to be completely democratic with a goal to reach everyone’s general will. Rousseau’s theory may have influenced politics such as socialism or utilitarianism, who wanted the greatest good for the greatest number.
Another English enlightenment philosopher, John Locke, made social influences. His 1690 Essay on Human Understanding advocated for his “tabula rasa” theory, which said that the human mind was blank until experience.
Altogether, the enlightenment thoughts, literary works, and figures caused many other sources to create new things. They were inspired to new movements by enlightenment discovery.