Felvilágosítás

Felvilágosítás is the Hungarian term for the Enlightenment, a European intellectual and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries. This period emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism towards traditional authority, particularly in religion and absolute monarchy. Key figures of the Enlightenment, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, championed ideas of natural rights, liberty, and the separation of powers, profoundly influencing political thought and social reform across the continent.

In Hungary, the Enlightenment's impact was significant, particularly during the reign of Maria Theresa and Joseph II. Hungarian intellectuals engaged with these new ideas, leading to reforms in education, administration, and the legal system. The desire to modernize the Hungarian state and society, often referred to as the "szépítés" or beautification of the nation, was intertwined with Enlightenment principles. There was a strong focus on promoting the Hungarian language, developing national consciousness, and advocating for greater autonomy within the Habsburg Empire. This intellectual ferment laid some of the groundwork for future national movements and reforms in Hungary.