This phrase refers to the ideological shift during the Enlightenment period in Europe where intellectuals began to criticize violence and advocate for equality. It was a significant change in societal values that influenced political and social reforms.
Think of this like updating your phone's operating system. Before the update, there might be bugs or features that don't work well (like societal acceptance of violence). After the update (the Enlightenment), new features are introduced (like advocating for equality) and old bugs are fixed.
Enlightenment: A philosophical movement in 18th century Europe that emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism towards traditional institutions, and belief in progress.
Human Rights: The basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, often seen as inherent and protected by law. They became a central focus during the Enlightenment period.
Social Contract Theory: A theory from philosophers like Rousseau and Locke during the Enlightenment suggesting that people live together in society according to an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior.
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