Definition and origins The Enlightenment , also known as the Age of Reason, was a philosophical movement in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe, emphasizing rationality and the power of individuals to use their reason to make sense of the world. The Enlightenment saw a shift from the authority of religion and the monarchy, towards science and empiricism. The Enlightenment , above all, valued progress, freedom, democracy, tolerance, and the pursuit of knowledge. Though there is ... Learn about the Enlightenment , a 18th-century intellectual movement that challenged tradition and promoted reason, science, and democracy. Explore the contributions of key figures, the impact on political revolutions, and the legacy of the Enlightenment . We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Learn about the Enlightenment , a 17th and 18th century intellectual movement that challenged authority, tradition, and religion. Explore the core ideas, political theories, and historical consequences of the Enlightenment .
