The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Enlightenment, was an intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over tradition.
Name one famous philosopher from the Enlightenment period.
One famous philosopher from the Enlightenment period is John Locke.
What role did reason play in the Enlightenment?
Reason was considered the primary source of authority and legitimacy during the Enlightenment, guiding thoughts, ideas, and the pursuit of knowledge.
How did the Enlightenment influence modern science?
The Enlightenment encouraged scientific inquiry and the use of the scientific method, which greatly advanced fields like physics, biology, and chemistry.
What was the impact of the Enlightenment on religion?
The Enlightenment promoted religious tolerance and a move towards a more secular outlook, challenging traditional religious authority.
Which Enlightenment thinker is known for his work ‘The Social Contract’?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is known for his work ‘The Social Contract’.
What was Montesquieu's contribution to political thought during the Enlightenment?
Montesquieu articulated the theory of separation of powers, which became a foundation for modern democratic governance.
Identify one way the Enlightenment affected education.
The Enlightenment promoted the spread of literacy and the expansion of educational opportunities, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and learning.
How did the Enlightenment influence the American Revolution?
The Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and democracy inspired the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
Which document, influenced by Enlightenment ideas, declared the rights of man and citizen?
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, drafted during the French Revolution, was influenced by Enlightenment ideas.
Who is Voltaire, and what is he known for?
Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion.
What did the Enlightenment thinkers believe about the nature of government?
Enlightenment thinkers generally believed that government should be based on consent of the governed and that it should guarantee certain natural rights.
Name an Enlightenment thinker who contributed to economic thought.
Adam Smith, with his work ‘The Wealth of Nations’, contributed significantly to economic thought during the Enlightenment.
How did the Enlightenment affect the arts?
The Enlightenment influenced the arts by promoting themes of realism, experimentation, and a focus on human experience and emotion.
What was the Enlightenment's view on progress?
The Enlightenment believed in the possibility of progress and improvement of society through reason and scientific thinking.