The Enlightenment primarily focused on reason, individualism, and empirical evidence as the foundation for knowledge and societal progress. This intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries promoted ideas such as liberty, tolerance, and the separation of church and state, challenging traditional authority and promoting the rights of individuals. Enlightenment thinkers, known as philosophes, emphasized critical thinking and scientific inquiry, influencing various fields including politics, philosophy, and education. The movement laid the groundwork for modern democracy and human rights, inspiring later revolutions and shifts in society toward rationalism and secularism.