The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in 18th century Europe. The goal of the enlightenment was to establish an authoritative ethics, aesthetics, and knowledge based on an "enlightened" rationality. The movements leaders viewed themselves as a courageous elite body of intellectuals who were leading the world towards progress, out of a long period of irrationality, superstition. The English philosopher and political theorist John Locke laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contribution. His political theory of government by the consent of the governed as a means to protect life, liberty and estate. His essay on religious tolerance provided an early model.