Enlightenment Ideals

Definition

Enlightenment ideals refer to the philosophical ideas that emerged during the 18th century European Enlightenment period. These include principles such as reason, liberty, progress, tolerance, and separation of church and state.

Analogy

Think of enlightenment ideals like a software update for society's operating system. Just like how an update improves functionality and fixes bugs in your phone or computer, these new ideas were meant to improve society by promoting rational thinking and individual freedoms.

Related terms

Rationalism: This is the belief that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious beliefs or emotional responses.

Secularism: This refers to the principle of separation of government institutions from religious institutions.

Human Rights: These are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other status.