the Age of Enlightenment
/ði ˌeɪdʒ əv ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt/
/ði ˌeɪdʒ əv ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt/
(also the Age of Reason
/ði ˌeɪdʒ əv ˈriːzn/
/ði ˌeɪdʒ əv ˈriːzn/
)- a period in Europe in the 18th century when many writers and thinkers began to question established beliefs, e.g. in the authority of kings or of the Church, in favour of reason and scientific proof. The idea developed that everyone was of equal value and had equal rights.
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the Age of Enlightenment