Final answer:
The Enlightenment brought forth ideas of reason, democracy, and natural law that influenced leadership and governance, leading to the concept of 'enlightened despots'. However, how fully these ideals were realized by historical leaders varied, with some embodying the philosophes' vision more than others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether any of the three leaders were truly enlightened in the sense envisioned by the philosophes touches on the impact of Enlightenment ideals on political leadership and the resulting social and governmental reforms. The philosophers of the Enlightenment, including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, promoted ideas such as reason, democracy, natural law, and a separation of powers, which influenced various forms of governance and the course of political revolutions.
The concept of 'enlightened despots' emerged, where rulers like Frederick of Prussia sought the counsel of Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire to create policies that were informed by these ideals. However, the degree to which they implemented these ideals and brought about lasting change varied. Historical leaders, including those referred to as 'philosopher-kings', have sought to embody the wisdom and understanding of philosophical concepts in their rule, echoing the influence of past philosophers.