Final answer:
The statement is true; Enlightenment thinkers believed that wealth could be created, proposing the potential for economic growth contrary to the mercantilist idea of finite wealth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: Enlightenment thinkers did indeed reject the mercantilist idea that wealth is finite, and instead proposed that wealth could be created. The philosophy of the Enlightenment period emphasized the potential for economic growth and the idea that the ability to earn money is not capped in a similar way that savings might be, due to practical reasons such as inflation and life expenses.
For example, historical documentation from the period suggests that prior to Enlightenment thinking, money was often spent as it came—either on necessities or on indulgences like food and alcohol—because it was not common to expect future financial surpluses, indicating a belief in finite wealth. However, enlightenment economic theories suggested that financial wealth can be accumulated, especially if individuals pursue further education and begin saving early in life.
It's important to understand that while there may be practical limits to how much an individual can save—given that they must cover living expenses and may only have a finite amount of discretionary income—the potential to increase earnings is vast, theoretically unlimited. Yet, this does not negate the effort, patience, and sacrifice required to accumulate substantial personal wealth.