Enlightenment
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The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment transformed Western thought through rationalist writings by Isaac Newton and René Descartes. These thinkers emphasized observation and reason, laying foundations for scientific inquiry. Their ideas fostered critical thinking and reshaped literature and culture, establishing lasting legacies in rational discourse and the belief in progress within Western civilization.
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Enlightenment philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries, led by John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire, transformed Western culture through ideas of reason, individual rights, and governance. Their works influenced modern democracy and civic values, promoting rationality, freedom, and social responsibility while significantly impacting political revolutions and literary movements.
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Neoclassical satire emerged during the Enlightenment as a potent medium for social critique, exemplified by Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope. Their works exposed societal contradictions and human follies, blending humor and sharp irony. This literary tradition profoundly shaped Western culture, influencing modern critiques through its enduring commitment to wit and reason.
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