European Enlightenment: Difference between revisions
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=== Montesquieu === | === Montesquieu === | ||
* 1689-1755 | * 1689-1755 | ||
* full name Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu | * full name Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu | ||
* French philosopher and political thinker | * French philosopher and political thinker | ||
* | * known by Americans as the "champion of liberty" | ||
** the American Founders quoted Montesquieu in their writings more than any other source than the Bible | |||
** the American "Father of the Constitution, James Madison, developed his ideas of separation and balance of powers based on Montesquieu | |||
* promoted the "separation of powers" in government | |||
** John Locke previously discussed this notion, but it was Montesquieu who most clearly articulated them | |||
* promoted representation of the people in the French parliament (known as the "Third Estate") | |||
* studied the past to determine the best forms of government | * studied the past to determine the best forms of government | ||
** developed a theory of history as driven by conditions and not specific events (see quotation below) | ** developed a theory of history as driven by conditions and not specific events (see quotation below) | ||
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</pre> | </pre> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
* quotations: | |||
** "To be truly great one has to stand with the people, not above them" | |||
=== Isaac Newton === | === Isaac Newton === | ||
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* quotations: | * quotations: | ||
** "Common sense is not so common." | ** "Common sense is not so common." | ||
== Legacy == | |||
* American Constitution | |||