Final answer:
The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason and scientific thought over superstition, leading to new ideas about government, society, and human rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a significant philosophical movement that took place primarily in Europe during the 18th century (1700-1800). Advocating the use of reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy, this period saw the flowering of ideas such as liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, and the separation of church and state. Influential Enlightenment thinkers, including John Locke, Isaac Newton, and Voltaire, challenged existing doctrines and traditions through questioning and the scientific method. These revolutionary ideas not only contributed to the undermining of monarchical and ecclesiastical power but also laid the foundations for modern democratic governments and the political revolutions that would follow.
The Enlightenment was also marked by its profound optimism, believing that with a focus on science and rational thought, human society could be improved, moving away from superstition. Driven by the power of the press and an open exchange of ideas, the period is often cited as a major turning point in Western civilization, heralding an era where light dispelled the darkness of ignorance.