the enlightenment part2 (Five concepts formed the core of their beliefs)

Reason

Enlightenment thinkers, building on ideas set forth earlier by Descartes, believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking. This concept is sometimes called rationalism.

Nature

The philosophes believed that what was natural was also good and reasonable. Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke focused on the rights that people have in their natural state as human beings in order to live in dignity. These rights cannot be taken away by any society or government.

Liberty

The philosophes called for the liberties that the English people had won in their Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights.

Happiness

The philosophes rejected the medieval notion that people should find joy in the hereafter and urged people to seek well-being on earth

Progress

The philosophes stressed that society and humankind could improve.