Final answer:
The period known as the Enlightenment is marked by the shift towards science and rationality, diminishing the influence of religious authority and encouraging the critical examination of traditional institutions and beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Enlightenment
The period in history when the new way of seeing the world focused on science and principles of rationality weakened the influence of religious authority is referred to as the Enlightenment. The key figures such as Rousseau, Diderot, and Voltaire were influenced by the scientific revolutions of the 16th and 17th centuries. They believed in using the light of science and reason to question traditional ways of thinking and traditional authority structures, embracing ideas like empiricism, rationalism, and progressivism.
During the Enlightenment, rationalism became a dominant idea, asserting that humans could gain knowledge through their faculty of reason rather than relying on religious scripture or church authorities. Additionally, empiricism was promoted, which argues that knowledge arises from experience and observation of the world. These principles significantly contributed to societal changes, including political democratization and economic development, and laid the groundwork for events like the French Revolution and the American Declaration of Independence.
Enlightenment thinkers also looked critically at religion, with some advocating for Deism and others for atheism, aiming to curtail the political power of organized religion and prevent another age of intolerant religious wars. This cultural and intellectual movement led to the process of modernization, where scientific thought was applied to not only the natural world but also human institutions, fostering widespread societal transformation.