Lock may have been less bold about his reasons “why men enter into a society”. The renaissance was a time of peace and prosperity. Humanism, self awareness, art, and science were a big deal and his view of people and their “state in nature” may have changed because people were thinking differently during those times. During the Protestant Reformation, times were also different and his opinion may have altered again. Locke may have not cared about the people as much because he was too busy criticizing the government/ churches.
The Protestant Reformation was a time where people were very critical of the churches because they abused their power which is one of Locke’s philosophies; people want to be protected by the government, not abused. During the Scientific Revolution, however, people were big on science and the people; not so much the churches/ government so Locke’s view may have changed again. He probably would feel the same way about the government but less harsh about the people. As times change, so do peoples’ opinions. Baron de Montesquieu believed in a government slightly different than Locke’s.
Montesquieu still believed in a central government but he thought that laws should be specific to different parts of the world where as different law may have to be enforced in different places. In his most famous work, The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu says “Laws…should be adapted for the people for whom they are framed…they should be relative to the climate of each country, to the quality of its soil…” Montesquieu’s view of society, however, differed very much from Locke’s. Montesquieu felt that people become intoxicated on power when they have enough of it and they couldn’t handle having more than the person next to them. Political liberty can only be found in moderate governments when there is no abuse of power. (The Spirit of Laws) ” Montesquieu feels the same way about individual citizens as he does about the general society. People always abuse their powers. No matter how small the amount they have, they will push their credibility to the edge. “Constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it and carry it as far as it will go. (The Spirit of Laws) ”. As the renaissance came around, Montesquieu would definitely not have had such a bad opinion of man.
The Essay on The philippine is a government of laws and not of men
American lawyer, politician and 2nd President of the United States In his 7th “Novanglus” letter, published in the Boston Gazette in 1774 The concept of “a government of laws, and not of men” reflects a political philosophy that dates back to the ancient Greeks. But the phrase itself was enshrined in history and quotation books by John Adams. Prior to the start of the American Revolution, Adams ...
As previously mentioned, the renaissance was a time for prosperity and there was a focus on humanism. Montesquieu believed that men will abuse any power that they are given but during the renaissance, people were much different. As for the Protestant Reformation, Montesquieu would probably feel the same way as his original philosophy. Nobody liked each other during the Protestant Reformation but the liked the government/ churches even less. There’s no doubt that people would abuse their power and the government should be split in 3 sections.
During the Scientific Revolution people wanted their rights because they weren’t big on religion anymore, so, Voltaire probably would have felt the same way as his original writings. In conclusion, each philosopher had their own ideas and ways of thinking about the government, different societies, and its citizens. Each man may have also been influenced differently by the Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, or the Scientific Revolution. These enlightenment philosophers have left their mark on history and will always be remembered as influential figures.
