Final answer:
Enlightened despots like Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great pursued limited reforms grounded in Enlightenment ideals while maintaining their authoritarian rule, which makes option D the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enlightened despots were monarchs who embraced Enlightenment ideals and introduced reforms that reflected the era's progressive thoughts on governance—without fully relinquishing their own absolute power. These advancements were heavily influenced by Enlightenment philosophers such as Locke, Rousseau, and Hobbes, whose ideals encompassed natural rights, the social contract, and the proper formation and operation of governments. Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great were notable examples of rulers who implemented limited reforms inspired by the Enlightenment. They believed in a degree of rational and enlightened rule, all while maintaining the essential structures of their authoritarian regime.
In response to the student's question, the most accurate answer is D. pursued limited reforms based on Enlightenment ideas. These rulers kept power firmly in their hands but made certain concessions and changes in governance that were aligned with Enlightenment thought, particularly in the realms of legal reform, religious tolerance, and administration effectiveness. This strategic blend of absolute rule and enlightened thinking distinguished them from more traditional monarchs who largely ignored or resisted Enlightenment philosophies.