Világosítás

Világosítás is a Hungarian term that broadly translates to "enlightenment" or "illumination." In a historical and intellectual context, it refers to a period of intellectual and cultural ferment in Hungary, roughly corresponding to the Age of Enlightenment in Western Europe. This era saw a significant shift in thought, emphasizing reason, secularism, and the advancement of knowledge.

During the világosítás, Hungarian intellectuals and reformers sought to modernize the country through education, legal reforms, and the promotion of the Hungarian language. Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant, they advocated for a more rational and humane society. Key figures of this period were involved in establishing schools, scientific societies, and in the development of Hungarian literature and scholarship.

The movement was characterized by a growing interest in national identity and the desire to strengthen Hungary's position within the Habsburg Empire. Világosítás played a crucial role in shaping modern Hungarian political and cultural thought, laying the groundwork for later national movements and reforms. It represented a conscious effort to move away from more traditional, religiously dominated worldviews towards a more secular and reason-based understanding of the world and society. The ideas and aspirations of this period continued to influence Hungarian intellectual life for decades.