What did Enlightenment ideals ultimately contribute to in society?

The Enlightenment was a pivotal cultural and intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and a critical approach to traditional institutions. One of its most significant contributions was the advancement of human rights. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for principles such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, which laid the groundwork for modern democratic ideals and human rights.

These ideas challenged the existing social hierarchies and advocated for the inherent dignity and rights of individuals. They influenced many revolutionary movements, including the American Revolution and the French Revolution, both of which sought to establish governments based on the consent of the governed and the protection of individual rights. Enlightenment thought emphasized that all individuals possess certain inalienable rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the pursuit of happiness, which have become foundational to contemporary human rights discourses.

In this context, the other options do not reflect the impact of Enlightenment ideals accurately. The movement did not lead to decreased literacy rates or promote scientific ignorance; in fact, it fostered a surge in education and the spread of knowledge. Furthermore, rather than strengthening absolute monarchy, Enlightenment philosophies often critiqued such forms of