Valgustusliike

Valgustusliike, also known as the Enlightenment, was an intellectual and cultural movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism, and the scientific method as the primary means of understanding the world and improving the human condition. Thinkers of the Enlightenment challenged traditional authority, including that of the church and absolute monarchies, advocating for natural rights, liberty, and progress.

Key figures of the Valgustusliike included philosophers like John Locke, who championed natural rights such as life, liberty, and property; Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who explored the concept of the social contract and the general will; and Immanuel Kant, who defined Enlightenment as humanity's emergence from its self-imposed immaturity. Voltaire was a prominent advocate for freedom of speech and religion, often criticizing religious dogma and intolerance. Montesquieu's ideas on the separation of powers heavily influenced constitutionalism.

The Valgustusliike had a profound impact on political thought, leading to revolutions in America and France, and shaping modern democratic ideals. It also fostered advancements in science, the arts, and education, promoting a spirit of inquiry and secularism. The movement's emphasis on human reason and empirical observation laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution and the subsequent development of modern science. Its ideas continue to influence contemporary thought on governance, ethics, and human rights.