What does the term "Enlightenment" refer to?

The term "Enlightenment" refers to an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in Europe during the late 17th and 18th centuries. This movement emphasized the importance of reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Enlightenment thinkers advocated for the use of reason to challenge existing doctrines and social norms, leading to advancements in various fields, including science, politics, and ethics.

Central figures of the Enlightenment, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant, promoted ideas around human rights, liberty, and the separation of church and state. Their works often laid the groundwork for modern democratic governance and inspired revolutions, such as the American and French Revolutions. The focus on rational thought and the belief in progress and the capacity for human improvement were defining characteristics of the movement, making it a critical period in shaping contemporary Western thought.

The other options represent distinct phenomena: the scientific discoveries of the 18th century certainly had their roots in the Enlightenment, but they do not encompass the broader movement itself; political revolutions were influenced by Enlightenment ideas but were not the term’s defining aspect; and religious revival movements occurred concurrently with the Enlightenment but represented a different response to changes in society and faith.