The Enlightenment: New Ideas

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights. Philosophers such as John Locke and Voltaire challenged traditional authority and advocated for principles like liberty, equality, and justice. The ideas of the Enlightenment laid the groundwork for modern democracies and inspired revolutions, highlighting the importance of rational thought and human rights.