What was a central idea of The Enlightenment regarding authority?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, characterized by a shift towards reason, scientific inquiry, and individualism. A central idea during this period was skepticism of traditional authority, particularly the unquestioned power of monarchies and religious institutions. Thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu promoted the idea that authority should be based on reason and consent rather than inherited privilege or dogma. This questioning of established norms laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles and a re-evaluation of governance and societal structures.

In contrast, other options represent perspectives that were largely challenged by Enlightenment thinkers. Blind loyalty to monarchy and faith in religious dogma were commonly upheld by previous generations but came under scrutiny as Enlightenment thinkers advocated for rational thought and empirical evidence. Similarly, while nationalism emerged later, it was not a primary focus during the Enlightenment; instead, the emphasis was on individual rights and the social contract, challenging the dominance of nationalistic fervor that would later characterize other political movements.