Enlightenment
Also called: Age of Reason, Age of Enlightenment · Topic: Print Culture and the Modern World · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 7 "India's Cultural Roots"; Class 10, Ch 5 "Print Culture and the Modern World"
Meaning
The Enlightenment was an 18th-century movement of European thinkers. They believed in reason, science and logical thinking instead of blind custom. They attacked superstition, the sacred authority of the Church and despotism, meaning rule by a king with unlimited power. Print carried their ideas to ordinary readers.
Example
In 18th-century France, the writings of Voltaire and Rousseau were widely read. Many historians argue that this helped prepare people for the French Revolution of 1789.
Don't confuse with
- Reformation: the 16th-century split in the Christian Church that began with Martin Luther in 1517. It was about religious belief, while the Enlightenment was about reason and science.