Case Study: Enlightenment Political Thought
Reading
The beheading of Charles I and the creation of parliamentary democracy in 17th century England were the most obvious signs of political change, and not unnaturally there was a revival of political philosophy too. This revival was underpinned by the advances in science, the growth of religious toleration and the rise of philosophical liberalism.
From Plato's "Republic" on wards philosophers had been faced with the political implications of their thought, but many had avoided the question.
The Greeks had tended to think of man as a communal being within the state, medieval thinkers considered the role of the state within the Christian synthesis, whereas modern political philosophy looked at the individual and the state.
Machiavelli had attempted a detached political science in the 16th century, but it was Hobbes who first expressed the characteristics problems of modern political philosophy.
From Plato's "Republic" on wards philosophers had been faced with the political implications of their thought, but many had avoided the question.
The Greeks had tended to think of man as a communal being within the state, medieval thinkers considered the role of the state within the Christian synthesis, whereas modern political philosophy looked at the individual and the state.
Machiavelli had attempted a detached political science in the 16th century, but it was Hobbes who first expressed the characteristics problems of modern political philosophy.
Key Concept:
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Guiding Question - Skill: Causation
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Sources:
Define the following terms:
- Sovereignty
- State of Nature
- Social Contract