Which statement best describes the significance of the Age of Enlightenment?

The Age of Enlightenment, spanning the late 17th to the 19th centuries, is characterized by a significant shift in intellectual thought that emphasized reason, science, and individualism. The assertion that it encouraged inquiry and skepticism toward authority is particularly valid as it reflects the Enlightenment's challenge to traditional institutions, including monarchies and the church. Thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant advocated for questioning established norms and dogmas, promoting the idea that knowledge should be based on reason and empirical evidence rather than solely on tradition or religious beliefs.

This period laid the groundwork for many contemporary ideas about human rights, democracy, and the scientific method, fostering an environment where questioning authority became a critical component of societal progress. It instigated a cultural and intellectual movement that celebrated intellectual exchange, leading to advancements in various fields such as philosophy, politics, science, and ethics.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of the Enlightenment. While technology was indeed influenced, it was not prioritized over philosophical inquiry; the movement did not focus solely on religious doctrine, rather it often critiqued and sought to separate from it; and rather than leading to a decline in education, the Enlightenment actually spurred an increase in educational