Philosophes

Philosophes were thinkers during the Enlightenment era, primarily in 17th and 18th-century Europe, who promoted reason, scientific inquiry, and individual rights. They questioned traditional authority, such as monarchies and the church, advocating for knowledge, tolerance, and social reform. Their ideas influenced politics, education, and science, laying the intellectual groundwork for modern democratic societies. Notable philosophes include Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke, each contributing to ideas about freedom, equality, and the importance of rational thought. Essentially, philosophes aimed to improve society through critical thinking and enlightened principles.