Pierre Bayle

But however much England and Germany had advanced their Protestantism to what was called free thinking, both were soon destined to be eclipsed in that sad progress by Catholic and monarchical France.

France owes this evil preeminence to one individual who, though largely assisted in his road to ruin by Baal, and subsequently by association with English infidels, had yet enough of innate wickedness in himself to outstrip them all.

That individual was Voltaire.

End of chapter 2.

During the mid-eighteenth century, Paris became a primary center for these philosophical debates.

Pierre Bayle contributed an early critique of religion, while Voltaire and Rousseau argued for a society based on reason rather than religious doctrine.

Montesquieu introduced the concept of the separation of powers, which influenced the structure of later governments.

In Scotland, Francis Hutcheson explored the principle of seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number.