What was the main belief of Enlightenment thinkers?

(1 point)
Responses

that governmental power should be limited
that governmental power should be limited

that a republic was the best form of government
that a republic was the best form of government

that the use of reason was vital to improving society
that the use of reason was vital to improving society

that a government should be strong enough to carry out its duties

that a government should be strong enough to carry out its duties

The main belief of Enlightenment thinkers was that the use of reason was vital to improving society.

The main belief of Enlightenment thinkers was that the use of reason was vital to improving society. To arrive at this answer, we can eliminate the other options one by one.

First, let's consider the belief that governmental power should be limited. While this is a key idea of Enlightenment thinkers, it is not the main belief. They believed that reason, rather than simply limiting governmental power, should be used to shape and improve society.

Next, let's look at the belief that a republic was the best form of government. While some Enlightenment thinkers did advocate for a republic, this is also not the main belief. The focus was on using reason to improve society, rather than advocating for a specific type of government.

Finally, the belief that a government should be strong enough to carry out its duties does not capture the essence of Enlightenment thinking. While some Enlightenment thinkers did believe in the importance of a strong and effective government, it is not the central tenet of their philosophy.

Therefore, the correct answer is that the use of reason was vital to improving society. This idea encapsulates the core belief of Enlightenment thinkers, who championed the use of rational thinking and scientific principles to tackle social, political, and educational issues.