Facts about the Enlightenment
- The Enlightenment reached its height in France in the mid-1700s
- had five concepts formed the core of their beliefs which are, reason, nature, happiness, progress, and liberty
- 1) Reason- Enlightenment thinkers believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking.
- 2) Nature- The philosophes believed that what was natural was also good and reasonable.
- 3) Happiness- The philosophes rejected the medieval notion that people should find joy in the hereafter and urged people to seek well-being on earth
- 4) Progress- The philosophies stressed that society and humankind could improve.
- 5) Liberty- The philosophies called for the liberties that the English people had won in their glorious Revolution and The Bill of Rights.