Which of the following philosophies contributed to the development of the Enlightenment?

Rationalism played a pivotal role in the development of the Enlightenment by emphasizing reason as the primary source of knowledge and understanding. During the Enlightenment, which spanned the 17th and 18th centuries, thinkers like René Descartes and Baruch Spinoza championed the idea that human beings could attain truth through logical reasoning rather than relying solely on religious doctrine or sensory experience. This focus on rational thought laid the groundwork for advancements in science, philosophy, and political theory, encouraging individuals to question traditional authorities and advocate for personal liberty and social reform.

In contrast, other philosophies listed do not align as closely with the core tenets of the Enlightenment. Utilitarianism, while it emerged during the Enlightenment period through thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, focuses more on the consequences of actions rather than on the inherent value of reason itself. Romanticism, which arose as a reaction against the Enlightenment, emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism rather than rational analysis. Lastly, behaviorism is a psychological theory that developed in the 20th century, focusing on observable behaviors rather than the philosophical underpinnings of knowledge and understanding. Thus, rationalism is distinctly relevant as it fundamentally shaped Enlightenment thought.