What was a major impact of the Enlightenment on society?

The choice highlighting the encouragement of scientific reasoning and skepticism of authority is a major impact of the Enlightenment on society because the movement fundamentally shifted the way people approached knowledge, power, and governance. Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke, emphasized the importance of reason, empirical evidence, and critical thinking. This created an environment where traditional beliefs and systems, including religious dogma and absolute monarchy, were questioned and scrutinized.

As a result, the Enlightenment inspired advancements in various fields, including science, philosophy, and politics. The push for scientific inquiry led to significant discoveries and technological advancement, paving the way for the Industrial Revolution and modern science. Furthermore, the emphasis on individual rights and democratic governance encouraged movements toward more representative forms of government, challenging the very foundations of absolute monarchies. This shift laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles and institutions that prioritize human reason and individual liberties over unquestioned authority.