The Enlightenment philosophy, emerging in the 17th and 18th centuries, was characterized by an emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authorities. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau advocated for rational thought, scientific inquiry, and the idea that government should be based on the consent of the governed. This period encouraged notions of liberty, equality, and democracy, challenging the established norms of monarchy and religious absolutism. The Enlightenment profoundly influenced the development of political thought, inspiring revolutions and social reforms across the globe, including the American and French revolutions, which sought to embody these ideals in practice.