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Swiss-born political philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) wrote several controversial works.  He felt that politics and morality could not be separated, and that the will of the majority was not always correct.  Many Americans today would agree with that view.  However, Rousseau also attacked private property, and laid the groundwork for future [[communist]] writers such as [[Karl Marx]].  Rousseau declared that government’s goal should be to provide freedom, equality and justice.  But note that freedom often results in inequality.

Swiss-born political philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) wrote several controversial works.  He felt that politics and morality could not be separated, and that the will of the majority was not always correct.  Many Americans today would agree with that view.  However, Rousseau also attacked private property, and laid the groundwork for future [[communist]] writers such as [[Karl Marx]].  Rousseau declared that government’s goal should be to provide freedom, equality and justice.  But note that freedom often results in inequality.

Irishman Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was in the British parliament when the conflict with the American colonies occurred, and he sided with the colonies, making him a hero to many in America.  He is also considered to be the world’s first political conservative, and many conservatives today praise him for that reason.  His works included “Inquiries into the Sublime and Beautiful” (defending the American colonies and examining how people interpret what they see) and “Reflections on the Revolution in France” (warning how bad the French Revolution was because a few would gain control and abuse their power, even while everyone else praised that Revolution).  What was striking about Burke was that he was almost always right in his political assessments and predictions.

Irishman Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was in the British parliament when the conflict with the American colonies occurred, and he sided with the colonies, making him a hero to many in America.  He is also considered to be the world’s first political conservative, and many conservatives today praise him for that reason.  His works included “Inquiries into the Sublime and Beautiful” (defending the American colonies and examining how people interpret what they see) and “Reflections on the Revolution in France” (warning, even while everyone else praised the French Revolution, how they were all wrong and how bad the French Revolution was because a few would gain control and abuse their power).  What was striking about Burke was that he was almost always right in his political assessments and predictions.

The Scotsman David Hume (1711-1776) was a philosopher and historian who promoted materialism and naturalism rather than spirituality.  He was a “skeptic” towards religion, and he penned “A Treatise on Human Nature.”  He quipped, “You can tell what is inside a person’s soul by what comes out if it.”  Hume is considered the greatest philosopher to write in English, but that is only because there were so few good English philosophers.  Hume has been criticized for his atheistic approach and his chief claim to fame is that Charles Darwin declared Hume to have been his central influence, as did “Darwin’s bulldog,” Thomas Henry Huxley.  Hume believed in relativism rather than absolute truth, and that not even what God creates has absolute beauty: “Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them,” Hume declared.<ref>David Hume’s ''Essays, Moral and Political'' (1742).</ref>

The Scotsman David Hume (1711-1776) was a philosopher and historian who promoted materialism and naturalism rather than spirituality.  He was a “skeptic” towards religion, and he penned “A Treatise on Human Nature.”  He quipped, “You can tell what is inside a person’s soul by what comes out if it.”  Hume is considered the greatest philosopher to write in English, but that is only because there were so few good English philosophers.  Hume has been criticized for his atheistic approach and his chief claim to fame is that Charles Darwin declared Hume to have been his central influence, as did “Darwin’s bulldog,” Thomas Henry Huxley.  Hume believed in relativism rather than absolute truth, and that not even what God creates has absolute beauty: “Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them,” Hume declared.<ref>David Hume’s ''Essays, Moral and Political'' (1742).</ref>

The German Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was one of the most famous philosophers ever.  In his “A Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant criticizes pure reason as a guide to life.  Kant may not have been a Christian himself, but he considered Christian values to be the best values in the world.  Kant also established a systematic basis for critical philosophy and suggested a material origin for the solar system.  Kant’s own suggestion for a moral daily life was this:  don’t do something which, if everyone did it, then the outcome would be bad.  Expressed another way, an act is moral only if it works as a rule for everyone.  For example, littering would be wrong because if everyone did it, then there would be an ugly mess.  Kant is taught in all college philosophy departments to this day, though not for praising Christianity!

The German Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was one of the most famous philosophers ever.  In his “A Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant criticizes pure reason as a guide to life.  Kant may not have been a Christian himself, but he considered Christian values to be the best values in the world.  Kant also established a systematic basis for critical philosophy and suggested a material origin for the solar system.  Kant’s own suggestion for a moral daily life was this:  don’t do something which, if everyone did it, then the outcome would be bad.  Expressed another way, an act is moral only if it works as a rule for everyone.  For example, littering would be wrong because if everyone did it, then there would be an ugly mess.  Kant is taught in all college philosophy departments to this day, but not because he praised Christianity!

Finally, let’s recognize American contributions during the Enlightenment.  The greatest works in government were created by the Founding Fathers.  These works include the Declaration of Independence (1776) with its statement of inalienable rights and a right to break the social contract with a ruler when he (the king) violates natural rights.  The United States Constitution (1787) gave the world a masterful design for government.  The Federalist Papers (1788), and particularly articles by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (most notably No. 10) were also significant.

Finally, let’s recognize American contributions during the Enlightenment.  The greatest works about government were created by the Founding Fathers.  These works include the Declaration of Independence (1776) with its statement of inalienable rights and a right to break the social contract with a ruler when he (the king) violates natural rights.  The United States Constitution (1787) gave the world a masterful design for government.  The Federalist Papers (1788), and particularly articles by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (most notably No. 10), were also significant.

==Capitalism==

==Capitalism==