The Age of Enlightenment in Europe, spanning the late 17th to the 18th century, was characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and individualism. Philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant challenged traditional authority, advocating for rational thought, secularism, and the scientific method. This intellectual movement encouraged questioning of established norms, particularly those related to politics, religion, and human rights. Enlightenment ideals inspired revolutions, including the American and French revolutions, promoting the concepts of democracy, liberty, and equality. It laid the groundwork for modern philosophical, political, and scientific thought, influencing various aspects of Western culture.