What was the main belief of Enlightenment thinkers?
(1 point)
• that governmental power should be limited
• that a republic was the best form of government
• that the use of reason was vital to improving society
• 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.
The main belief of Enlightenment thinkers was that the use of reason was vital to improving society.
To arrive at this answer, we can consider the key concepts associated with the Enlightenment period. The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in Europe during the 18th century. It was characterized by an emphasis on reason, logic, and science, as well as a rejection of traditional authority and religious dogma.
Enlightenment thinkers believed in the power of human reason and rationality. They advocated for the use of critical thinking and empirical evidence to challenge outdated beliefs and institutions. They sought to apply reason and logic in various domains, including politics, religion, economics, and education, in order to bring about progress and improve society.
While it is true that Enlightenment thinkers also supported the idea of limited governmental power to prevent abuses and protect individual liberties, as well as explored different forms of government such as republicanism, the central and defining belief was the conviction that reason and rationality were necessary for social and intellectual advancement. Therefore, the main belief of Enlightenment thinkers was that the use of reason was vital to improving society.