HISET Social Studies Practice

What did the Enlightenment seek to challenge?

1. The use of logic in philosophy

2. Accepted ideas and social institutions

3. The rights of the individual

4. The validity of scientific inquiry

The correct answer is: Accepted ideas and social institutions

The Enlightenment was a significant intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the late 17th and 18th centuries, characterized by a strong emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism toward traditional authority. The movement sought to challenge accepted ideas and social institutions that were deeply rooted in society at the time, such as monarchy, religious doctrine, and societal norms. Philosophers and thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau questioned the legitimacy of absolute power held by kings and the divine right to rule, advocating instead for reasoned debate, empirical evidence, and human rights. This critical approach encouraged the questioning of long-standing beliefs and the exploration of ideas that promoted liberty, equality, and justice, fundamentally altering the social and political landscape of the time. By investigating and challenging these accepted ideas and institutions, the Enlightenment laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought and practices, leading to revolutions and reforms in various societies. Thus, the correct answer reflects the core objective of the Enlightenment to interrogate and ultimately reshape the frameworks within which people lived.