European Enlightenment

The European Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individual thought over tradition and dogma. Thinkers like Voltaire, Locke, and Newton encouraged questioning authority, advancing knowledge, and valuing human rights. This era fostered innovations in politics, philosophy, and science, leading to ideas like democracy, freedom, and progress. The Enlightenment significantly influenced the development of modern Western societies by promoting rational inquiry and challenging established institutions.