The Main Ideas of the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the power of education. Key concepts included the belief in progress, the importance of individual rights, and the questioning of traditional authority. Thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau promoted these ideas, which ultimately influenced the development of democratic societies and the concept of human rights. The Enlightenment had a significant impact on political and social structures, paving the way for modern democracy and the principles of equality and freedom.