Final answer:
The scientific breakthroughs of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had a powerful effect on Enlightenment figures by challenging traditional beliefs and inspiring the use of reason and scientific principles in all aspects of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientific breakthroughs of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had a powerful effect on many Enlightenment figures. These breakthroughs, known as the Scientific Revolution, introduced the idea that the universe operated according to rational and predictable laws. This challenged traditional religious and social hierarchies and inspired Enlightenment thinkers to apply reason and scientific principles to all aspects of life, including government, education, and economics.