The Enlightenment period in the 17th century was initiated by a set of principles emphasizing reason, individualism, skepticism of authority, and empirical evidence. Thinkers like René Descartes and John Locke argued against dogma and sought to apply rational thought to all aspects of life, including politics, science, and society. This intellectual movement encouraged critical thinking and inspired revolutions, promoting the idea that human beings could shape their destinies through reason and informed choices. The principles of liberty, equality, and a government accountable to the people became central to Enlightenment thought, shaping modern democratic ideologies.