Final answer:
Enlightenment philosophers offered diverse views on governance and rights, with Hobbes emphasizing a strong sovereign, Locke defending natural rights, Montesquieu advocating for a separation of powers, Voltaire promoting civil liberties, Rousseau supporting popular sovereignty, Beccaria calling for criminal justice reform, and Wollstonecraft championing women's rights and education.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Enlightenment, philosophers shared their perspectives on various aspects of governance, rights, and society. Thomas Hobbes presented a viewpoint on government through his theory of the social contract, suggesting that people give up some freedoms to a powerful sovereign in exchange for order and protection, as outlined in his work 'Leviathan'.
John Locke disputed Hobbes' theory, arguing that people had natural rights to life, liberty, and property, with the right to overthrow a government that fails to protect these rights, as elaborated in his Two Treatises of Government.
Baron de Montesquieu opined that the separation of powers among branches of government is essential to prevent tyranny, which he detailed in 'The Spirit of the Laws'. He believed in a constitutional monarchy with powers divided between king and parliament.
Voltaire advocated strongly for freedom of speech and religious tolerance, highlighting the importance of civil liberties. Jean-Jacques Rousseau focused on the concept of popular sovereignty where the legitimate power of the state is derived from the general will of the people as outlined in 'The Social Contract'.
Cesare Beccaria argued for criminal justice reform, advocating for the abolition of torture and capital punishment, while promoting the idea of fair and rational punishment in his work 'On Crimes and Punishments'. Mary Wollstonecraft contributed significantly with her feminist perspective, emphasizing women's rights and education, particularly in her work 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.