John Locke was a philosopher who held a positive view on human rights. He believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves by it. Locke criticized absolute monarchy and liked the idea of self government. He also believed that all people are born free and equal with three rights: life, liberty, and property. Locke thought that the purpose of the government was to protect these three rights.
Francois Marie Arouet
Francois Marie Arouet was known as the most brilliant and influential philosopher. He used a pen name which was Voltaire. He published more than seventy books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Voltaire was known to have a sharp tongue which got him in trouble. He was sent to prison twice and after his second jail term, he was exiled to England for more than two years. Even though he was jailed, he never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. Voltaire also wrote about tolerance, prejudice, and superstition.
Baron de Montesquieu
Baron de Montesquieu was an influential writer who devoted himself to the study of political liberty. He believed that Britain was the best governed and most politically balanced country. One thing Montesquieu wrote was “On the Spirit of Laws” which was his most famous book that oversimplified the British system. In the book, he proposed that separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government. His book was admired by political leaders in the British colonies of North America. His ideas became the basis for the United States Constitution.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft has been called the “first feminist.” She wrote an essay called “A Vindication of the Rights of Women.” In the essay, she said that women needed education to become virtuous and useful just like men. She urged women to enter the fields of medicine and politics which were male dominant occupations.
Biography
John Locke
John Locke was a philosopher who held a positive view on human rights. He believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves by it. Locke criticized absolute monarchy and liked the idea of self government. He also believed that all people are born free and equal with three rights: life, liberty, and property. Locke thought that the purpose of the government was to protect these three rights.
Francois Marie Arouet
Francois Marie Arouet was known as the most brilliant and influential philosopher. He used a pen name which was Voltaire. He published more than seventy books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Voltaire was known to have a sharp tongue which got him in trouble. He was sent to prison twice and after his second jail term, he was exiled to England for more than two years. Even though he was jailed, he never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. Voltaire also wrote about tolerance, prejudice, and superstition.
Baron de Montesquieu
Baron de Montesquieu was an influential writer who devoted himself to the study of political liberty. He believed that Britain was the best governed and most politically balanced country. One thing Montesquieu wrote was “On the Spirit of Laws” which was his most famous book that oversimplified the British system. In the book, he proposed that separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government. His book was admired by political leaders in the British colonies of North America. His ideas became the basis for the United States Constitution.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft has been called the “first feminist.” She wrote an essay called “A Vindication of the Rights of Women.” In the essay, she said that women needed education to become virtuous and useful just like men. She urged women to enter the fields of medicine and politics which were male dominant occupations.
Works Cited
World History text book