Page 23 - Sample Masters E-book

The Lesson ...

xiii
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer and composer. His political
philosophy influenced the progress of the Enlightenment throughout Europe, as well as
aspects of the French Revolution and the development of modern political, economic
and educational thought.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau strongly believed in the innate goodness of man and in basic
human rights founded upon universal natural law; in addition, he believed that both
rulers and the citizens have natural human rights as well as obligations to each other which should be
bound in a social contract.

His book entitled, Emile, strongly influenced the course of education even today. He developed the idea
of kindergarten (kinder = child, garten = garden). He believed if you placed a child in a beautiful
environment (a garden), the child would, by his very nature, automatically be inquisitive and learn on his
own. Given the right information, he would develop into a model citizen and contribute greatly toward
the progress of society. He denied the innate sinfulness of man called original sin.

Voltaire (1694-1778)
xiv
Born in 1694, in Paris, France, Voltaire established himself as one of the leading
writers of the Enlightenment. His famed works include the tragic play Zaïre, the
historical study The Age of Louis XIV, and the satirical novella Candide. Voltaire and
the Marquise analyzed the Bible and concluded that much of its content was
dubious. Voltaire's critical views on religion are reflected in his belief in the
separation of church and state and religious freedom, ideas that he had formed after
his stay in England.

John Locke, 1632-1704
xv

John Locke was among the most famous philosophers and political theorists of the
th
17 century. He is often regarded as the founder of a school of thought known as British
Empiricism, and he made foundational contributions to modern theories of limited
government.

Both his parents were Puritans and as such, Locke was raised that way. Because of his
father's connections and allegiance to the English government, Locke received an outstanding
education.

In Locke's landmark, Two Treatises of Government, put forth his revolutionary ideas concerning the
natural rights of man and the social contract. Both concepts not only stirred waves in England but also
impacted the intellectual underpinnings that formed the later American and French revolutions.

Later in his life, Locke wrote A Letter Concerning Toleration in which he wrote that it was impossible for
the state to referee competing religious claims. When the state enforces religion, it always leads to the

22