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Concept information

Preferred term

ENLIGHTENMENT (PERIOD)  

Definition

  • THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT (OR SIMPLY THE ENLIGHTENMENT OR AGE OF REASON) WAS A CULTURAL MOVEMENT OF INTELLECTUALS IN 18TH CENTURY, FIRST IN EUROPE AND LATER IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES. ITS PURPOSE WAS TO REFORM SOCIETY USING REASON (RATHER THAN TRADITION, FAITH AND REVELATION) AND ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH SCIENCE. IT PROMOTED SCIENCE AND INTELLECTUAL INTERCHANGE AND OPPOSED SUPERSTITION, INTOLERANCE AND SOME ABUSES BY CHURCH AND STATE.

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
  • AGE OF REASON

History note

  • TERM CREATED NOVEMBER 2012

Definition source

  • WIKIPEDIA

URI

https://hasset.ukdataservice.ac.uk/683e1255-4d04-4b27-bf8d-37b6cbd70761

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