The Enlightenment or the Age of Reason spanned the 17th and 18th centuries. It was a time when people began to think differently about science and politics. It came after the Renaissance period and flourished with the scientific revolution.
That period is great, as it began challenging society's traditional values, customs & ideologies. Rather than being narrow about it, they started relying upon rationality.
People started in a scientific way of thinking. They were not relying on simply accepting ideas, but now they wanted proof and a clear explanation of traditions and religious matters.
This era was the time when the concept of liberty and human rights prevailed. It was the foundation of modern democracy, the scientific method and capitalism.
Main Features of the Enlightenment
The name of this movement was the Enlightenment, which emphasised logic and reasoning skills. Thinkers of this time believe human problems can be solved using logic and rational thought.
It also challenged royal power and that of religious authorities. It is believed that people can gain wisdom by reasoning things out for themselves, not through superstition.
Principles of the Enlightenment
Scientists conducted tests and made measurements to understand nature’s rules of operation. They had faith in fact & proof rather than obsolete principles.
The Scientific Method
People used experiments and observations to understand how the world works. They believed in facts and evidence instead of old beliefs. This mindset challenges traditional ideas and has led to new scientific discoveries.
Individualism
Enlightenment thinkers believe that every person has natural rights, and that these rights are equally important. Things included in the individualism concept are freedom of thinking, owning property and making the right decision.
Ideas like the free market and self-government rose. In Free markets, people worked on private ownership, and minimum government interference was there. In a self-governing state, the state had to manage its affairs and regulations without external interference.
Scepticism
In Scepticism, people began to question religious explanations and traditions. Many believe the world should be based on reasoning and scientific concepts rather than religious ones. This concept of belief had declined to faith in old customs.
Main Characters of Enlightenment Thinkers
During the Enlightenment period, some great thinkers of the time were
John Locke
He believed that people are born with inborn freedom of rights for life and liberty. He mentioned that the government must protect these rights.
Voltaire
Another person advocated for free expression as well as respect towards religion too. According to him, individuals should have freedom of expression and not feel threatened by it at all times.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau introduced the idea of the social contract. For him, the power should belong to the people, and the government must represent the general will of society.
Montesquieu
According to him, he suggested the government power must be divided into three parts, like legislative, executive and judicial. The idea is still being used today in the United States.
Enlightenment Glossary
The whole philosophy of enlightenment surrounds the summary ideas
Laissez-Faire
The idea surrounds an economic idea that says the government must not interfere in business activities.
Natural Rights
It also talks about basic human rights that belong to every person, such as life and liberty. A person should have their own property, not governmental.
Check and Balance
A system where each branch of government limits the power of the others to prevent misuse of power. States and federal governments should have their own authorities.
How Enlightenment impacted the world
This revolution in industries shaped modern democratic societies. Also, it had a positive effect on major events such as the American and French Revolutions.
Because of a focus mainly on reasons and science instead of firm societal beliefs, many inventions and discoveries were made. This later helped bring about the Industrial Revolution.
Conclusion
To put it simply, the Enlightenment era made individuals reflect on human Rights. It emphasized reasons and freedom. It talks about progress and ideas that create a positive influence on society.