Final answer:
Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke advocated for greater inclusion of women in education, signaling a shift towards equality. Yet, despite some women gaining recognition, overall societal progress remained limited, keeping most women, lower classes, and people of color largely outside the scope of Enlightenment benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Though many Enlightenment philosophers did hold traditional views, others called for greater equality for women in education and society. During the 18th century, while Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau argued for women's domesticity, figures such as Locke supported increased access to education for women and promoted a vision of progress through human reason and empirical study. However, the original vision of Enlightenment was not wholly universal, and societal changes resulting from these ideals often excluded significant groups including women, the lower social classes, and people of color.
Nevertheless, some elite women carved out roles within these debates; Émilie du Châtelet and Germaine de Staël are notable examples of female philosophers who gained recognition for their intellectual contributions during the Enlightenment era. Even though such instances existed, most women did not immediately benefit from the emphasis on freedom and equality underlying the Enlightenment philosophy.