Philosophe
The intellectuals of the 18th-century Enlightenment
Real World Example
Philosophes were thinkers and writers during the 18th-century Enlightenment who promoted ideas about reason, science, and individual rights. They challenged traditional views and encouraged people to think critically about government, religion, and society, which influenced major events like the American Revolution. Their emphasis on liberty and equality inspired the founding fathers of the United States to create a democratic nation. Today, their legacy lives on through our values of free speech and democracy, which we see in everyday practices like voting and freedom of expression. For example, when students debate ideas in a classroom, they are engaging in the kind of critical thinking and open discussion that philosophes valued.
