The Enlightenment was a cultural and intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and empirical evidence in examining society, politics, and human nature. Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau, questioned traditional authority and championed ideas like liberty, equality, and democracy. This movement significantly shaped modern political thought and practices, influencing revolutionary ideologies and the development of democratic governments. The Enlightenment also fostered advancements in science, philosophy, and human rights, laying the foundation for modern liberalism and inspiring movements aimed at achieving social reform and justice.