Which movement emphasized the application of reason to understand human nature?

The European Enlightenment was a significant intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason as a primary source of authority and legitimacy. Enlightenment thinkers sought to apply reason and scientific methods to understand human nature, society, and governance. They believed that through rational thought, individuals could achieve progress and improve their lives, advocating concepts such as individual rights, democracy, and secularism.

This movement fostered the idea that human beings could use rational thought to solve problems and advance knowledge, paving the way for significant developments in philosophy, political theory, science, and the arts. Figures such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant explored the implications of reason on society and human behavior, arguing for the potential of humanity to govern themselves wisely if guided by rational thought. This emphasis on reason distinguishes the Enlightenment from other historical movements that did not prioritize human rationality to the same extent.