Final answer:
The Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, was the philosophic movement predominant in Europe during the mid-18th century. It valued reason, scientific inquiry, and introduced concepts that led to modern political structures and the French Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philosophical Movements in Europe During the Enlightenment
The philosophical movement that was sweeping through Europe, particularly France during the mid-18th century, is known as the Enlightenment. This era, also referred to as the Age of Reason, was characterized by an embrace of reason, science, and the principles such as liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, and the separation of church and state. Philosophers like Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu introduced and promoted ideas that challenged the existing doctrines and led to significant political and social transformations in Europe. The Enlightenment played a crucial role in undermining the legitimacy of the Old Regime and laid the intellectual groundwork for the French Revolution.
Impact of the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment emphasized using rational thought over religious tradition for understanding the universe and elevating the human condition. It fueled scientific inquiry and criticism of orthodox religion, ultimately influencing political revolutions that shaped modern Western societies. Although it was primarily a philosophic movement, the Enlightenment also predated and set the stage for the Romantic movement, which was a reaction to the Enlightenment and emphasized nationalism and the power of art to capture sublime aspects of nature and humanity.