Enlightenment Essay

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are

endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and

the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,

deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - U.S. Declaration of

Independence. As we now look upon these words we are amazed at the volume they speak in

such a transient of words. However we must also ask ourselves from what point of reference did

people generate the idea of the equality of man; in other words how did we come to the

conclusion that all people are created equal. It all started in the Age of Enlightenment or

otherwise known as the Age of Reason where the ideas of four very influential people impacted

the world on such a level that the ramifications of their actions can still be seen clearly today.

Isaac Newton was a scientist who lived in the mid 16th and early 17th century. Isaac

Newton is most renowned for his discovery of gravity. He believed that using reason and direct

observation was the best way to learn about the world around him.This ideal was revolutionary

for its time, and many people were inspired by Newton's ideals not only in the world of Science

but also in the world of Social Sciences.

One of such people was John Locke a philosopher of the late 16th and early 17th century.

John Locke wrote about his ideas on the equality of man, responsibility of citizens in government

and the purpose of government. John Locke wrote that all men have the rights of life, liberty and

property. He also stated that the purpose of government was to protect the people. John Locke

would later greatly influence the writers of the English Bill of Rights and the American
 Enlightenment Essay

Declaration of Independence. John Lockes influence cannot only clearly be seen in England

and the Americas, but also in all of Western Culture.

Another very influential person of the Enlightenment Period was a philosopher by the

name of Voltaire.Voltaire believed that if people are to live happily and in peace with one

another that there needs to be a plurality of religions in society. He stated that if there was one

governing religion, society would become arbitrary and that if there were two governing

religions that those two religions would constantly be in conflict with one another. Voltaire ideas

would later help inspire the American and French Revolutions.Voltaires influential ideas of the

equality of religion can clearly be seen in the U.S. Constitution when it states: Congress shall

make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or

abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to

assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Of the many philosophers in The Age of Enlightenment few ventured out into the world

of economics as Adam Smith. Adam Smith was a political economist and philosopher that lived

during the 18th century. Adam Smith proposed that every man should seek his own economic

interest, without government censorship. Adam Smith believed that no government could attain

enough wisdom or power to truly censor its economy for the interest of the people. He further

stated that if individuals pursue their own economic interest in society that it would in effect

benefit all of society. Adam Smith ideas and economic theories are evident today in America's

Free Market Economy System.

Mary Wollstonecraft was a philosopher and women's rights advocate who lived during

the 18th century and published her work during the French Revolution. Mary Wollstonecraft
 Enlightenment Essay

believed in the equality of education for women. She stated that individuals can only become

virtuous through the attainment of knowledge and if women are to be virtuous in society they

must receive the same education as men. Mary Wollstonecraft influence can be seen today as

minorities and women alike fight for equal rights and education opportunities. Mary

Wollstonecraft will always be known as a prominent pioneer in women's rights.

John Lockes, ideas of government and the rights of mankind changed the way we look

at ourselves and our government. Voltaires ideas about religious freedom, greatly influenced the

U.S. Constitution in its protection of religious freedom, the United States adopted Adam Smith's

idea of the Free Market Economy and Mary Wollstonecrafts ideas about equality for women

still fuels today's fight for women's rights. In short while each of these historical figures come

from different places, different times and from different walks of life they all share the same

underlying principles about their ideas of equality and individual rights.