The Enlightenment: Reason, Tolerance, and the Roots of Democracy

The Enlightenment (18th century) championed reason as the primary means to understand the world. Thinkers argued humanity advances through rationality and science, with society organized around these principles.

Core Emphases

• Use of reason: Logic, science, evidence to acquire knowledge and guide morality.
• Questioning authority: Critical scrutiny of traditions, hierarchies, customs.
• Religious tolerance, civil liberties, free speech.

These ideas laid the groundwork for modern democratic societies.