The Enlightenment: New Ideas

The Enlightenment, a philosophical movement in the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Thinkers like John Locke and Voltaire championed ideas regarding human rights, government, and the role of reason in understanding the world.

This intellectual awakening laid the groundwork for significant political revolutions, advocating for democracy and challenging monarchies. The Enlightenment's emphasis on rational thought and empirical evidence transformed various fields, including science, politics, and ethics.