Kris Maulden's Questions - Oct. 5/6

This week, we'll be discussing parts of Isaac Kramnick's Portable Enlightenment Reader. For this week, read the Introduction (p. ix-xxiii) and passages by Jefferson/Franklin (p. 160-167), Paine (p. 174-180), and Locke (p. 185-187, 395-404). If the language is difficult for you, just try to pull out the main ideas and we'll cover any points of confusion in class. We'll also go over the upcoming paper this week for a short time. Without further ado, your questions:

1. You will be reading part of Locke's Second Treatise on Government (p. 395-404), and in a part you will not be reading, he said that "In the beginning all the world was America" (ch. 5, paragraph 49). Judging from the parts you have read in the Kramnick book, why would he say that? Can you give examples from what you have learned so far in this course to back up Locke's arguments about human nature?

2. How does Locke and the rest of the Enlightenment represent a break with the patriarchal past, especially as voiced by Filmer and Hobbes? In other words, how does Locke compare and contrast with Filmer and Hobbes? Which side do you agree with more, and why?

3. What are the main goals of the Enlightenment, and how do the Jefferson, Franklin, and Paine writings show them? Do their thoughts on religion represent a new religious direction in the colonies when compared to the Anglicans, Puritans, and Quakers? Why or why not?