Enlightenment Thinkers and Progress

Enlightenment thinkers, like Voltaire and Rousseau, championed reason, science, and individual rights in the 17th and 18th centuries. They believed that human progress was achievable through knowledge and rational thought. This era emphasized the idea that societies could improve over time, moving away from tradition and superstition towards enlightenment and democracy. Their ideas laid the groundwork for modern political systems, education, and the understanding of human rights, suggesting that progress in history is possible through critical thinking, social reform, and a commitment to justice and equality for all individuals.