Which of the following was a change brought upon by the Enlightenment? (1 point)
a) The development of absolute monarchies
b) The decline of religious authority
c) The increase of serfdom
d) The spread of feudalism
To determine which of the following options represents a change brought about by the Enlightenment, we first need to understand what the Enlightenment was.
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. It was characterized by a focus on reason, science, skepticism, and individualism. Key thinkers of the Enlightenment, such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Voltaire, championed ideas such as the power of reason, the importance of individual liberty, and the belief in progress through scientific inquiry.
Now let's examine each option to identify the one that aligns with the changes brought by the Enlightenment:
Option 1: Increased power of the Church - This option does not align with the changes brought by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment challenged the authority and influence of the church, advocating for freedom of thought and expression.
Option 2: Emphasis on hereditary rule - This option does not align with the changes brought by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment promoted the idea of meritocracy and questioned the legitimacy of absolute monarchy or hereditary rule.
Option 3: Expansion of trade and commerce - This option aligns with the changes brought by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment facilitated the rise of capitalism and economic liberalism, promoting the expansion of trade and commerce as key factors in social progress.
Option 4: Suppression of scientific inquiry - This option does not align with the changes brought by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment celebrated scientific inquiry as a tool for understanding the world and challenging traditional beliefs.
Based on the analysis, option 3, "Expansion of trade and commerce," represents a change brought about by the Enlightenment.