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The Enlightenment Research Paper

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The growth of the Enlightenment is a fitting characterization of the 18th and 19th century. With this being said, Political Philosophy is placed on a state of deterioration. The birth of human reason, the formation of ideologies such as Liberalism, and the stress laid on the use of scientific methods, contribute to such decline. In order to address the problems that resulted from the mentioned causes, the significance of Political Philosophy is to be put into consideration. This paper aimed to show that Political Philosophy's revival will provide a new framework
Political Philosophy, which is equated with Classical Political Theory, emerges out of the need to "acquire knowledge of the good life and good society". (Strauss, 2011) Moreover, …show more content…

For both of them, the ideal state is aristocracy (Fiesser & Stumpf, 2005), and not democracy. Political philosophers believe in the need for an Authority. It is also important to point out that their idea of the state is as an embodiment of moral. They see the significance of a human person in the making of the state for the reason that the development of human person leads to the development of the state. If they were able to form morally good individuals, then the policy they make will be morally good, and the state itself will then be morally good. The ability to make a virtuous society lies within the ability to form the character of a man. And as for Plato, the virtue of a moral person is justice (Fiesser & Stumpf, 2005), and once a just man is formed, a just society will rise. With this kind of mind set a Political philosopher has, a refined state will then be created, a state injected with values.
A man should be reflected by his society. The problem with the present ideologies is its failure to represent the people. Karl Marx warned about the ideas that could be an instrument of repression (Susser, 1995). Political actors must be careful in choosing the idea that they transform into practice. Without the guidance of Political Philosophy, Political ideologies might lead to satisfaction of personal interests through political power, and negligence of the idea of common

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The Era of Enlightenment was a cultural movement in Europe that favored reason in place of belief. It challenged the accepted views of the time which, in turn, endangered the power of absolute rulers and their system of government. This era influenced a majority of the European population, however, the monarchs of the time did not exemplify those same ideals. Catherine II of Russia’s views on serfs and peasants are a great example of a ruler defying the enlightenment movement. In her “Decree on Serfs” she states that “serfs and peasants...owe their landlords proper submission and absolute obedience in all matters” , essentially saying that serfs of the time should be completely obedient to their masters (Doc. 6).

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Introduction: After the prolonged and disparaging Thirty Years War, philosophers took up a new notion of life and how, what and why things are the way they are in the world. Many also took into effect believing in scientific reasoning’s over biblical outlooks, looking for logical answers to all the many mysteries of the world and the afterlife. Enlightenment philosophers also constructed ways in which they thought people should act. For example, philosopher Voltaire explained his reasons for how “people should be citizens of the world” (Voltaire, “Patrie, in the philosophers dictionary”, 1752). THESIS:

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Documents: Document C, Document C, and Document H The Enlightenment was a period of time during the course of the years 1685 to 1815, where European politics, philosophy, science and communications were thoroughly remade. Thinkers question traditional rule and welcomed the concept that humankind could be enhanced through rational thinking. The period of 1685 to 1815 could be called the Enlightenment due to the ideas that originated from the era that were revolutionary. Examples of these can be seen from the ideas of the natural rights of man, the proper structure of government, and the cruelty of irregular criminal punishment.

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During the Renaissance people began to stray away from the Catholic Church, and began thinking for themselves. While doing so people began to reconnect to old Roman traditions. Subsequently, the Enlightenment was born soon after. The Enlightenment was a new way of thinking also known as The Age Of Reason. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes are two famous philosophers from the Enlightenment that are known for having two different view on government.

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It is evident that John Locke’s role in political philosophy is prominent and has significantly aided the development Western government. Overall, Locke believed that if a society could facilitate a government that didn’t violate anyone’s right to life, liberty, health, and possessions, they would all live a life of

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All throughout history there have been many conflicting political philosophies. There are two, however, which have gained the most recognition. These are the common good philosophy and the natural rights philosophy. Both philosophies have their own views. The natural rights philosophy, for instance, is the belief that government should only have the power that is given to them by the people.

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According to him, the ideal society must make justice as its main foundation to cure the evil in the society. Where there is Justice, there would be peace and order. NATURE AND ORIGIN OF THE STATE  Justice as being the main foundation of a society. Plato’s theory of justice differed from other Greek Philosophers of his time.  In the Republic, the characters each had their different views on Justice: 

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It could be said there have always been just two political philosophies: liberty and power. Either individual ought to be allowed to experience their lives as they consider fit, to belong as they regard the rights of others, or to have the capacity to utilize constraint to make other individuals act in ways they wouldn 't choose. The theory of liberty has various names; however, its defenders have dependably had an ongoing idea of rights for the individual, they have trusted individuals to settle on choices about their own lives and fought the individuals who utilize violence to get what they seek. The idea of power has always seemed more appealing to people who are in power. We see this in socialism, fascism, communism, and totalitarianism.

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John Locke, Karl Marx and Niccolo Machiavelli are three of many of history’s important political philosophers. Their political outlooks on topics such as class, property and civil liberties inspired the draft and framework of many modern day societies. An area all three seem to cover is their conclusion on how they define what the ideal government system is. It can be argued that all three’s different perceptions and conclusions on how a government should be managed was greatly influenced by how they each differently perceived human nature to be. This interestingly and ultimately leads to a split between focusing on either a government’s societal means and moral/proper needs or a focus on the end result (of any political consequence that

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In the anthology Princeton Readings in Political Thought, editors Mitchell Cohen and Nicole Fermon, tell us that, “what political theorists look at, speculate about, and contemplate,” involve the question of how we should organize ourselves.1 Moving beyond speculations, and contemplation about how States are born - and what justifies them - arguments, pro et contra who is fit to rule, and under what type of system, become the pressing questions of political theory. The history of political theory provides many examples of the various types of both people and systems of rule that have predicted, with some accuracy, what type of system and ruler would be best for any society. It is my intention to first, describe two of the more popular political theories on the systems of rule, those of Plato and J.S. Mill. Further, I will compare and

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In the era of enlightenment, people started to promote new idea and use of reason in order to overthrow the superstition and conservativeness towards the catholic church (Zafirovski, 2011). In addition, “philosophes” were existed and proposed some new idea in challenging the corrupted political system and the awareness of people’s liberty and human rights rise at that time (Outram, 2006). The philosophes believed that the political and ethical theories could bring the society to be emancipated. John Locke, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill proposed a series of new ideas which were influential and lead to the improvement of the society. Also, these ideas were spread worldwide and it shaped the modern society.

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The Republic centers on two questions: what is justice and is it better to live justly or unjustly. The puzzles of defining justice in Book I prompt Socrates to search for justice in a different way. He creates a city, which not only helps him locate justice but also allows him to assert his ideas on the best ruler. While it may seem self-serving for Plato to choose a philosopher to rule, his claims make an opposing view difficult to justify. Genuine philosophers “strive above all for truth of every kind” and become temperate, wise, courageous, and just leaders.

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Introduction The assignment will be investigating the democracy of Aristotle and Jean Jacques Rousseau. Democracy in itself can be very different and varies from form to form. The assignment will investigate Aristotle’s view and Jean Jacques Rousseau concepts on state and man, the governess of the state, freedom and man .Each of these topics will be contrast on the views of Aristotle and Jean Jacques Rousseau alongside each other. Each of these philosophers’ key points will be looked and the inner working of out they thought a city should be run.

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1 INTRODUCTION Power and authority are the most important aspects of politics as such way of thinking comes a long way from the earliest thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle to mention few. They are the fundamental features of state in politics, focusing on who should have the power and authority over the people and who should rule them. During the time prior and after the birth of states, political authority has always been a major concern with regards to who should rule and how and who shouldn’t. Therefore this issues need to be addressed in a way that will at the end benefit the society. Plato is the thinker or theorist who came with addressing who should rule in a political environment in what Plato outlined that only Philosophers should rule.

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Everyone has a perspective of their own about the government whether it be good or bad. Ancient Greek philosopher Plato and English philosopher John Locke both discuss the topic of government in their literatures. In the Republic by Plato, Plato introduces this concept of a just city. In this city, he believes that the older and wisest person(s) should rule as they are very knowledgeable. Everyone is born innately different according to Plato.

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