All these suppositions of naturalism were to find violent manifestation in the great upheaval of the French Revolution. In France Illuminism found such a favorable reception that it was able to develop to its ultimate consequences. The outstanding figure of French Illuminism and European culture was Francois Marie Arouet, known to history as Voltaire. He rejected the distinction Locke had made between ideas of sensation and ideas of reflection. Knowledge is nothing other than pure sensation.
Intellective life is reducible to sensation.
Also, emotional life is a distinct degree of sensation is so far as sensation, affecting the heart, causes emotion. Rousseau is the most original figure of French Illuminism. No progress of culture or civilization results in goodness and happiness. This can be expected only by developing nature rationally. The passage from this state to the social state was made by means of a contract with the intention of man's not being a slave but being protected as regards his right to natural freedom.