Aufklärung

Aufklärung, or the Enlightenment, was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights. It promoted questioning traditional authority, such as monarchy and religion, advocating for critical thinking and empirical evidence as guides to understanding the world. The movement inspired ideas about liberty, equality, and progress, shaping modern concepts of democracy and human rights. Thinkers like Voltaire, Locke, and Rousseau challenged established norms, encouraging a culture of curiosity and rational debate that significantly influenced Western society and governance.