Enlightenment
Definition
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated Europe during the 18th century, which emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism towards traditional institutions, and belief in progress.
Analogy
Imagine enlightenment as upgrading from an old flip phone to a smartphone. Before you were limited by what you could do (traditional beliefs), but now with this new device (reason & individual thought), there are endless possibilities (progress).
Related terms
Rationalism: The principle that actions or opinions should be based on reason rather than on religious beliefs or emotions; it’s like using GPS on your smartphone instead of just guessing directions.
Secularism: The principle that religion should not influence civic affairs and public education; it’s akin to keeping work emails separate from personal ones on your smartphone – different spheres for different purposes.
Humanism: A philosophical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings; it’s like prioritizing user-friendly features on your smartphone – the focus is on the individual's needs.
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