What did the Enlightenment emphasize?

The Enlightenment emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, which marked a significant shift in thought during the 17th and 18th centuries. Thinkers of this period, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, advocated for the use of reason as the primary source of knowledge and emphasized the importance of individual rights and freedoms. This movement encouraged people to question traditional structures and beliefs, particularly those relating to monarchical and religious authority.

The emphasis on individualism paved the way for the development of modern democratic ideas, illustrating the belief that humans have the capacity to govern themselves rather than rely on autocratic rulers. The skepticism of authority reflected a growing critique of the established norms and institutions, promoting ideals such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, which would later influence revolutions and movements for social change.

In contrast, the other options highlight concepts that do not align with the core principles of the Enlightenment. For example, religious devotion and traditional authority signify a reliance on established hierarchies, which Enlightenment thinkers often challenged. Nationalism and imperialism are more related to later historical developments and conflicts that arose partly in response to Enlightenment ideas, rather than being central themes of the Enlightenment itself.