Essential Enlightenment: What was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was a major intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe, spanning from the mid-1600s to the late 1700s. Key thinkers included John Locke, Adam Smith, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant.

This era saw the rise of reason and the scientific method, directly challenging religious and political absolutism. Enlightenment ideas promoted new ways of thinking about rights, freedom, liberty, justice, and government, often leading to their works being banned.

Enlightenment ideas laid the groundwork for liberal democratic institutions, such as impartial courts, the rule of law, democratically elected governments, separation of church and state, equality, and freedoms of speech and religion.

The Enlightenment also introduced radical economic ideas from thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume, explaining market economies and increasing prosperity. These ideas influenced revolutionary movements and government experiments in the United States and France.

To explore more about the Enlightenment, visit essentialenlightenment.org, and for information on essential scholars, visit essentialscholars.org.