Which intellectual movement emphasized reason and natural laws during the late 1600s to the 1700s?

The Enlightenment was an influential intellectual movement that emerged during the late 1600s to the 1700s, characterized by a strong emphasis on reason, individualism, and the application of natural laws to understand the world. This period, also known as the Age of Reason, saw thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau challenge traditional authority and propose ideas about human rights, government, and the role of knowledge in society. Enlightenment thinkers believed that through reason and scientific inquiry, humans could improve their societies and governance. This movement laid the groundwork for significant political revolutions, including the American Revolution, as ideas about liberty and democracy gained traction.

In contrast, the Renaissance focused primarily on art, literature, and the revival of classical learning from ancient Greece and Rome, while the Reformation dealt with religious reform and the challenges to the Catholic Church, emphasizing faith and scripture rather than reason. The Industrial Revolution, occurring later, was a period of technological advancement and economic change rather than an intellectual movement centered on philosophical ideals. Each of these movements had its own distinct focus and impact on society, differentiating it from the rationality and scientific approach championed by the Enlightenment.