During the Enlightenment, a notable shift occurred in European thought characterized by the emphasis on reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry. Philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau challenged traditional authority and dogmas, advocating for political and social reform based on rational understanding rather than religious or monarchic rule. The Enlightenment encouraged critical thinking and led to discussions about human rights, democracy, and the role of government. This intellectual movement laid the groundwork for revolutionary ideas, influencing the American and French Revolutions and shaping modern democratic principles and secularism in Western societies.