The Enlightenment

During the Enlightenment, many philosophers sought to use the ideas of the Scientific Revolution to better the world by applying reason and scientific knowledge to all fields of life. Some of these thinkers started applying reason and logic to government and law. The ideas that they developed were radical for the time period. They began to question commonly held ideas, such as the divine right of kings. Collectively, these thinkers that questioned and examined politics, as well as the rights of people, were known as political philosophers.

The Philosophers of the Enlightenment

Political philosophers promoted ideas that had a profound effect on the way people thought about the role of government. Watch this presentation to learn about some of the thinkers that inspired the revolutionary acts of the era that led to the founding of the U.S. and established many of the rights and freedoms you enjoy today. Click the player to begin.

Download a printable version of the interactivity.

 

The Enlightenment Review

Now that you have explored the philosophers and ideas of the Enlightenment, review what you have learned in this non-graded activity. Click the player to get started.