THe time period where thinkers attempted to apply reason to all forms of study, big and small.
The time period where thinkers attempted to apply reason to all forms of study, big and small, can be broadly categorized as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. This period spanned from the late 17th century to the late 18th century, primarily in Europe but with implications that also spread to other parts of the world.
During this time, thinkers challenged traditional authority and sought to understand the natural world, human behavior, and social structures through reason and empirical evidence. They placed emphasis on critical thinking, the scientific method, and the application of rationality to all aspects of human life.
Enlightenment philosophers such as René Descartes, John Locke, Isaac Newton, and Immanuel Kant played crucial roles in advancing this intellectual movement. They argued for the importance of knowledge based on reason, questioning religious dogma, and encouraging observation and examination of the natural world.
These thinkers applied reason to fields like science, politics, philosophy, economics, and education. They sought to develop rational systems to explain natural phenomena, establish principles of governance based on individual rights and social contracts, formulate ethical frameworks, and reform educational systems to promote reason and critical thinking.
Overall, the Age of Enlightenment was marked by a profound belief in the power of reason to generate knowledge, challenge established beliefs, and improve human society. Its influence laid the foundations for modern scientific inquiry, democratic governance, human rights, and secular thought.