The Enlightenment was a period in the 17th and 18th century in which new discoveries were being made and new ideas were being questioned. These ideas were both scientific and religious but were being reviewed by thinkers who believed in improving and making society better. There were four main philosophers who stood out among all the rest, John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft. All of these individuals had the main idea of individualism for all people. Each philosopher connected what they believed in with real world problems and tried to figure out a way to be fair with all people. Although they all had the same idea, all of the four great thinkers explained and gave reasoning in their own ways to prove why they are right. …show more content…
In the, Second Treatise on Civil Government, John Locke stated “... (W)e must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature….” Describing individualism and how others should be able to provide for themselves, John Locke also comments that it should be carried out with respect to society. From the same source, he also claims that, “...They have not only a right to get out of [a failed government], but to prevent it.” Once all of the branches of government have crumbled and are no longer in power, he recommends to all people, that they should work together in rebuilding the legislative branch to provide a safe and fair, and equal government for