Final answer:
The Cultural revolution known as the Renaissance was essential in fostering new thinking, challenging norms, and establishing the foundation for humanism, science, and exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cultural revolution known as the Renaissance sparked a discourse committed to exploring new ideas that challenged prevailing norms and the authority of rulers and the church. This "rebirth" in thinking served as a catalyst for the ideas that would enable the Age of Exploration.
The Renaissance which began in the 15th century in Italy, was a period significant for the development of human awareness and individualism. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages' feudal systems to a new era of cultural and political society emphasized on commerce. Humanism dominated philosophy and science, shifting the understanding of the world from a geocentric to a heliocentric view, and fostering advancements in various fields including science, art, mathematics, and engineering.
Innovation during the Renaissance did not just rejuvenate art and culture; it also laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution and further encouraged the spirit of exploration and discovery that led to the Enlightenment period, ultimately challenging old views and embracing new perspectives on life, liberty, and the pursuit of knowledge.