The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry over tradition and religious authority. Thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for ideas such as human rights, democracy, and the separation of church and state. This period encouraged questioning existing norms, leading to advancements in philosophy, politics, and science. The Enlightenment laid the groundwork for modern society by promoting values like liberty, equality, and rational thought, influencing revolutions and shaping contemporary democratic ideals.