Italian Enlightenment

The Italian Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in 18th-century Italy that emphasized reason, scientific thought, and individual rights. It sought to challenge traditional authority, including the Church and monarchy, promoting ideas like education, science, and secular governance. Thinkers like Cesare Beccaria advocated for criminal justice reform, while others encouraged arts and philosophical debates. This movement contributed to modernization and inspired social and political change, laying groundwork for future liberal ideas. Though Italy faced political fragmentation at the time, the Enlightenment sparked significant cultural and intellectual development across the region.