Final answer:
The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement centered around reason, advocating for progress and individual freedoms. It influenced politics, science, and social systems, providing a moral justification for revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement in 18th century Europe that emphasized the importance of reason as the main source of authority and legitimacy. Enlightenment thinkers believed that by using reason and empirical study, society could progress and improve. They advocated for ideals like liberty, progress, tolerance, and the separation of church and state.
The Enlightenment had a profound impact on various aspects of society, including politics, science, and social systems. It influenced the development of social contract theory, which emphasized the protection of individual freedoms. Additionally, the Enlightenment provided a moral justification for revolution, such as the American Revolution, as thinkers believed that humanity's natural rights could not be denied to any well-reasoned mind.
Overall, the Enlightenment promoted the belief that with science and reason, human beings and society could improve, leading to a period of profound optimism.