The Age Of Enlightenment - Introduction

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, followed the Renaissance and focused on humanism. It was characterized by the emergence of secular philosophers, or philosophes, who challenged prevailing dogma and redefined the role of the philosopher. Immanuel Kant famously defined enlightenment as man's emergence from self-imposed immaturity. Unlike previous eras, cultural changes were driven by common people with uncommon ideas. The philosophes were well-rounded individuals who contributed to various fields, setting a model for modern intellectuals.

What was a key focus of the Enlightenment period?

• Religious revival

• Rebirth of art and literature

• Humanism and reason

• Military expansion

According to Immanuel Kant, what is enlightenment?

• A return to traditional values

• The expansion of empires

• The pursuit of scientific knowledge

• Man's emergence from self-imposed immaturity

Who were the main drivers of cultural changes during the Enlightenment?

• Common people with unique ideas

• Kings and emperors

• Religious leaders

• Military generals

What was the new expectation for philosophers during the Enlightenment?

• To focus solely on religious matters

• To write exclusively in Latin

• To engage and advocate for change

• To remain detached and disengaged

What characterized the philosophes of the 18th century?

• Narrow specialization in one field

• Exclusive interest in theology

• Focus on military strategy

• Mastery of multiple disciplines