What was the Age of Enlightenment primarily characterized by?

The Age of Enlightenment is predominantly characterized by intellectual ferment and rational inquiry. This period, which spanned the late 17th to the 18th centuries, emphasized reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy. Enlightenment thinkers, or philosophes, championed ideas centered around individual liberty, scientific reasoning, and skepticism of traditional doctrines, leading to significant advancements in various fields such as philosophy, political theory, and the sciences.

The emphasis on rational inquiry during this era encouraged critical examination of existing social, political, and religious structures, laying the groundwork for modern democratic and scientific thought. Prominent figures such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Immanuel Kant contributed to the advancement of ideas that challenged established norms and promoted the application of reason in all aspects of human life, further establishing the importance of empirical evidence and logic in understanding the world.

While the other options reflect historical elements, they do not capture the essence of the Age of Enlightenment in the same manner. Technological advancements, military conquests, or religious movements did not define the period as closely as the emphasis on intellectual discourse and rationality did.