The Enlightenment period, primarily in the 17th and 18th centuries, was characterized by an emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, tolerance, and the scientific method. Enlightenment thinkers, known as philosophers, questioned established norms and sought to apply rational thought to all areas of human experience, including politics, religion, and education. Figures like John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant played vital roles in advocating for the use of reason to challenge oppression and improve human understanding. This intellectual movement significantly influenced modern democratic thought and institutions.