Final answer:
Immanuel Kant serves as the link between 17th-century scientists and 18th-century philosophes, bridging the gap between empirical and rationalist approaches and influencing the Enlightenment's reason-based societal ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosopher who provides a link between the scientists of the 17th century and the philosophes is Immanuel Kant. Regarded as a pivotal figure during the 18th-century Enlightenment, Kant sought to reconcile the empirical and rationalist traditions, while also navigating the relationship between personal freedom and political authority. His work is known for synthesizing these diverging philosophical traditions and proceeding beyond the empirical skepticism of David Hume and the rationalism of figures like Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz.
Philosophy and science crossed paths substantially during the Enlightenment, with scientific achievements influencing the philosophic movement spearheaded by thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau, both of whom argued for reason-based societies. Moreover, the advancements in natural science by figures like Isaac Newton set the stage for this philosophical shift towards enlightenment ideals, as evidenced by his groundbreaking work, which presented a scientifically based model of the universe.
The influence of these scientists and philosophers on culture and society was profound, setting the stage for later movements and developments in the arts, as well as political and social reforms, thus dramatically reshaping the intellectual landscape of Europe and beyond.