What did Enlightenment thinkers generally believe about human nature?

Enlightenment thinkers generally posited that humans are born as blank slates, or 'tabula rasa', which means that individuals develop their characteristics and understanding of the world primarily through experience. This concept, most notably associated with John Locke, emphasizes the potential for growth and learning rather than innate traits defining individuals' capabilities or moral standings.

The idea of the 'blank slate' suggests that with the right environment and education, people could be guided to rationality and virtue. This perspective was revolutionary at the time, challenging previous notions of inherent human flaws and preordained social hierarchies. It supported the belief in progress and the capacity for societies to improve through reason and education, thus laying the groundwork for modern democratic thought and individual rights.

Other concepts, such as the view that humans are inherently selfish or require strict control by authority, reflect a more pessimistic understanding of human nature, which the Enlightenment sought to overcome with reason and optimistic potential for improvement. Similarly, the belief in chaos contradicts the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order through rational governance and societal structures.