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What was the Enlightenment?

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Quick answer

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in 17th–18th century Europe that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights over tradition and authority. Its ideas shaped modern democracy, human rights, and the scientific worldview. It flourished in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s.

Key things to understand

  1. It flourished in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s.
  2. It championed reason, science, and evidence.
  3. It promoted individual rights and questioned authority.
  4. It inspired revolutions and modern democracy.

People also ask

What was the Enlightenment?
An 17th–18th century movement that prized reason, science, and individual rights over tradition and authority.
Why was the Enlightenment important?
It shaped modern democracy, human rights, and the scientific approach to understanding the world.
Who were key Enlightenment thinkers?
Figures like Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant, among many others.