② With the development of modern science, rationalism, as an asset Anti-feudal class provides the ideological and theoretical weapon.
Representative figures
The Enlightenment usually refers to a period between the early 18th century and the French Revolution in1789, in which new thougts were emerging . The Age of Enlightenment (or Age of Reason) was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to use the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in Church and state.
Voltaire
He was famous for his wit and for his advocacy (提倡) of civil liberties (公民自由), including freedom of religion, free trade, and separation of church and state. Voltaire was a prolific(多产的) writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poetry, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.