Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
the-enlightenment
noun
/ði ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/
Definition
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Examples
- The Enlightenment led to significant advancements in science and philosophy.
- Philosophers of the Enlightenment, like Voltaire and Rousseau, influenced modern liberal democracy.
- The Enlightenment encouraged people to think for themselves and challenge societal norms.
Meaning
It emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines, advocating for scientific thought and the questioning of religious and political authority.
Synonyms
- Age of Reason
- Illumination
- Enlightened era
