Question

Which of the following philosophies directly contributed to the start of the Enlightenment in the 17th century?

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Hobbes's theory that all men are inherently evil and need a single all-powerful monarch to rule over them.

Explanation:

According to a different source, these are the options that come with this question:

A. Nietzsche's theory of nihilism, in which it is believed life has no meaning.

B. Montesquieu's idea of dividing political power among several branches of government.

C. Aquinas's arguments for the existence of God and his definitions of the nature of God.

D. Hobbes's theory that all men are inherently evil and need a single all-powerful monarch to rule over them.

The political philosophy that Hobbes developed was one of the major theories to contribute to the start of the Enlightenment in the 17th century. This theory states that government exists in order to provide safety. This is because, in a state of anarchy, men will abuse and kill each other, as we are naturally evil and selfish. The existence of a government ensures our protection in exchange of giving up a certain degree of freedom. This is known as the social contract.

Answer 2

The philosophers are René Descartes and David Hume used "rational skepticism" to ensure that their thinking was based on logic and not on prejudice

The Enlightenment heralded a new willingness to question authority in all areas of life. Scientific discoveries increased rapidly, and the questioning of the monarchy led to political reform and revolution

Disciplines such as natural history, modern science, and natural law were all born out of the Enlightenment. Ideas such as the separation of church and state, religious tolerance, and free speech were also fruits of the Enlightenment.

Thomas Jefferson drafted the The Declaration of Independence. He served as the third President of the United States and founded the University of Virginia.

The Declaration of Independence captures in a succinct and powerful way the relationship among humanism, Enlightenment philosophy, and political governance. It established the idea of a new nation that was a product of the philosophies of the era.