The Enlightenment was a European intellectual movement that happened in the 17th and 18th centuries, influenced by 17th-century philosophers Descartes, Locke, Newton, and others. Prominent supporters of The Enlightenment included philosophers and/or writers Kant, Goethe, Voltaire, and Adam Smith. The movement emphasized reason over tradition. (Source: Oxford Dictionary)
According to general Enlightenment beliefs included:
1) The ability to reason is the most important ability a human has.
2) Reason allows one to break free from primitive and superstitious beliefs; through reason, one betters him- or herself, learning to think and act correctly.
3) Reason will make the world better and better.
3) No belief should be accepted just because a priest (or a similar figure) said it, or because it's what people have always believed. Beliefs should only be accepted on the basis of reason.
4) Knowledge is more important than emotion.
(Source: PBS)
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