Which intellectual movement emphasized reason and challenged existing beliefs in the 16th and 17th centuries?

The Scientific Revolution is the correct answer because it marked a significant transformation in the way knowledge was acquired and understood, emphasizing observation, experimentation, and rationality. This movement fundamentally challenged traditional beliefs held in the medieval period, particularly those based on Aristotelian philosophy and religious doctrine. Prominent figures like Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton applied reason and empirical evidence to study the natural world, leading to groundbreaking discoveries that redefined humanity's understanding of science and the universe.

While the Enlightenment also centers on reason and intellectual advancement, it followed the Scientific Revolution and built upon its principles by applying rational thought to society, politics, and ethics. The Romantic Movement focused more on emotion and individualism, deviating from the Scientific Revolution's emphasis on reason. The Industrial Revolution, meanwhile, represents a period of technological and economic transformation rather than a shift in intellectual thought.