The Enlightenment was characterized by a belief in the power of human reason and the advancement of knowledge through scientific inquiry. It was a time of great intellectual and cultural ferment, and many important ideas and principles that are still relevant today were developed during this period, including the notions of individual liberty, freedom of thought and speech, religious tolerance, and the separation of church and state.
The Enlightenment was also marked by a spirit of optimism and progress, with thinkers believing that through the application of reason and scientific knowledge, society could be improved and human life could be made better. Notable figures associated with the Enlightenment include philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke, as well as scientists like Newton and Galileo.
In essence, the Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that emphasized the importance of reason, science, and human progress, and had a profound impact on Western thought, culture, and politics.