Which aspect of Enlightenment thought helped lead to movements for democracy?
a belief in heredity based absolute monarchies
an emphasis on natural rights and citizens ability to rule themselves
a belief in the divine right rule of emperors, kings, and the papacy
an emphasis on the concepts of Ptolemy's geocentric theory
B?
The correct answer is B) an emphasis on natural rights and citizens' ability to rule themselves.
The Enlightenment period, also known as the Age of Reason, was a period in history where philosophers and thinkers began to emphasize reason, individualism, and the pursuit of knowledge. During this time, Enlightenment thinkers promoted the concept of natural rights, which are inherent and inalienable rights possessed by every individual, such as life, liberty, and property.
These thinkers believed that individuals have the ability to reason and make decisions for themselves, rather than being subject to the arbitrary rule of monarchs or other authority figures. The idea of self-governance, where citizens have the power to govern themselves and participate in decision-making processes, became a core aspect of Enlightenment thought.
As a result, the emphasis on natural rights and the belief in citizens' ability to rule themselves helped to inspire movements for democracy. The ideas put forth by Enlightenment thinkers laid the groundwork for the development of democratic systems of government, where power is vested in the people and their elected representatives.