The theories of Hobbes and Locke influenced a series of new political movements in France by the 18th century. Some intellectuals argued that the monarchy should be replaced by a more representative government, which gave political philosophy a new distinct voice. Among these thinkers were the compilers of an enormous Encyclopédie, Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert who reinstated that education was the propeller common people need to participate in their politics instead of passively accepting the conventional authorities. They were also greatly inspired by Voltaire’s campaign for separation of the Church and state. This was also the movement that put forth a person’s right to freedom of speech, religion, and tolerant society in general. Although Voltaire himself was a believer that reason and observation entail the existence of a God – a deist – he bothered less with the matters of the Church. While Diderot and d’Alembert represented their ideas and challenged religion, openly claiming themselves as atheists. Yet their criticisms did not derive the immediate reformation of the government their views did initiate and vocalized the growing criticisms of the general public of the time.
Introduction
How do we really define Philosophy? The Greek word φιλοσοφία – Philosophia. Or as the term has been coined by modern Western language – Philosophy. The literal meaning of this word is relatively static. Derived from its Greek origin it comprises two separate words...
