An Enlightenment philosopher refers to a thinker who emerged during the 18th century in Europe and advocated for reason, science, and individual rights as a means to challenge traditional authority and promote social progress.
Related terms
John Locke: A key Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas on natural rights, government by consent, and the social contract greatly influenced American revolutionaries.
Voltaire: Another influential Enlightenment philosopher known for his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion.
Montesquieu: An Enlightenment thinker who proposed the separation of powers in government to prevent abuses of authority.