The Enlightenment was the movement characterized by a focus on rational thought and scientific evidence in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. This intellectual movement emphasized reason, logic, and empirical evidence, challenging traditional doctrines and authority. Thinkers such as Voltaire, John Locke, and Immanuel Kant advocated for individual rights, freedom of thought, and the use of reason to improve society. The Enlightenment laid the groundwork for the development of modern democratic ideals, scientific inquiry, and secularism, significantly influencing political, economic, and social changes in Europe, paving the way for revolutions and advancements in various fields.