the Enlightenment; educational movement for social progress
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
the Enlightenment; 17th–18th century European intellectual movement advocating reason and individual rights
Refers specifically to the historical period in Europe associated with thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Locke, and Kant. Often capitalized in English.
The Enlightenment laid the ideological foundation for the French Revolution.
Kant was one of the most important philosophers of the Enlightenment period.
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This movement advocated reason, science, and individual liberty.
noun
enlightenment campaign; movement to spread new ideas and educate the public for social progress
General term for any movement aimed at raising public awareness and introducing progressive concepts; not limited to the historical European context.
The New Culture Movement was an important intellectual enlightenment campaign in modern Chinese history.
This literacy enlightenment campaign greatly improved the educational level of the rural population.
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The environmental enlightenment movement has made more people aware of the importance of protecting the ecosystem.