ENLIGHTENMENT THINKERS

VOLTAIRE

• Believed in tolerance.
• An idea still used today is freedom of speech.
• He wrote plays, essays, poetry, philosophy, & books.

JOHN LOCKE

• Believed in the state of mind and all men were equal.
• Argued that the mind of a baby was “tabula rasa,” a blank slate.
• All men are free and equal at birth is still used today.

BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

• French noble and political philosopher.
• Believed there should be a "separation of powers" in government.
• Believed a man is innocent until proven guilty by the jury.
• Slavery, torture, & ect. Are all wrong is still used today.

JEAN JACQUES ROSSEAU

• Philosophized on the nature of society and government.
• Believed democracy was a desirable form of government.
• He made a contribution in the social contract.