What was the main focus of Enlightenment thinkers?

The main focus of Enlightenment thinkers was on the primacy of reason and science as opposed to tradition and religious authority. This period, which spanned the late 17th to the 18th century, emphasized the importance of rational thought, empirical evidence, and individualism. Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau promoted ideas that encouraged people to think for themselves and challenge long-standing norms, including those enforced by religious institutions and societal traditions. This intellectual movement laid the foundation for many modern democratic principles, advocating for liberty, equality, and justice, and it nurtured an environment where individual rights were valued over collective tradition.

In this context, the rejection of monarchical rule and the divine right of kings was also significant, as Enlightenment thinkers sought to promote governance based on rationality and the consent of the governed, rather than hereditary privilege. Although discussions about economic inequality and class struggle did gain prominence later, especially during the 19th century with the rise of socialism and Marxism, they were not the central focus of Enlightenment thought. The era was primarily characterized by a profound faith in reason and its ability to understand and improve the human condition.