What was the focus of the Enlightenment thinkers in the 18th century?

The Enlightenment was a pivotal intellectual movement of the 18th century that emphasized reason, science, and intellectual exchange as the primary means to understand and improve human society. Thinkers of this era, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant, championed the use of rational thought as opposed to traditional authorities such as the monarchy or religious institutions. They advocated for the application of reason in all areas of life, believing that knowledge and logic could lead to progress in civil liberties, governance, and human rights.

This focus on reason also encouraged scientific inquiry and the investigation of natural phenomena, which were significant departures from superstition and dogma prevalent in earlier times. The Enlightenment laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought and the eventual questioning of absolute monarchy and divine rights. Thus, the emphasis on reason, science, and intellectual exchange made it possible for Enlightenment thinkers to envision a society based on rational principles rather than strictly inherited authorities or military conquest.