Define Enlightenment.

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason, refers to an intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in Europe during the late 17th and 18th centuries. Characterized by an emphasis on reason, empirical inquiry, and a belief in the power of human progress, the Enlightenment sought to challenge traditional authority, superstition, and dogma.

Enlightenment thinkers advocated for the application of reason and scientific methods to understand and improve the world. Key themes included individual rights, religious tolerance, political liberalism, and the belief in human capacity for self-improvement. Philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant played influential roles in shaping Enlightenment thought.

The movement had a profound impact on various fields, including philosophy, science, politics, and literature. It laid the groundwork for democratic ideals, the scientific method, and a more secular worldview. Enlightenment ideas influenced the American and French Revolutions, inspiring movements for social and political change.

The Enlightenment is often regarded as a transformative period that challenged traditional authorities, paving the way for a more rational, empirical, and progressive approach to understanding and organizing society.