The core belief of Enlightenment thinkers regarding human nature was that individuals are rational beings capable of reason, and that this reason can be used to advance knowledge, morality, and society as a whole. Enlightenment philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant argued that human beings possess intrinsic rights and the ability to shape their destinies through rational thought and individual freedom. This optimistic perspective emphasized the potential for progress and reform in society, challenging traditional authority, religion, and dogma. The Enlightenment laid the intellectual foundation for modern democratic ideals, human rights, and scientific inquiry, significantly shaping contemporary Western thought and governance.