Enlightenment, within the context of modern political philosophy, refers to the broad intellectual movement of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that sought to place human reason at the center of social, political, and moral life. It marked a decisive shift from traditional sources of authority—such as divine revelation, monarchy, and inherited customs—to a worldview grounded in rational inquiry, scientific thought, and a belief in human progress. Thinkers of the Enlightenment argued that individuals possess the capacity to use reason independently, and that this capacity should inform the structure of political institutions and the norms governing society. In this way, Enlightenment thought laid the foundations for modern liberal democracy, constitutionalism, and the idea of universal human rights. Central to the concept of Enlightenment is the conviction that reason is the primary tool for understanding the world and improving human existence. This emphasis on rationality challenged earlier epistemologies that relied heavily on theological or metaphysical explanations. Philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu insisted that human beings should not simply accept inherited beliefs but critically examine them through the use of reason. Kant famously described Enlightenment as humanity’s emergence from “self-imposed immaturity,” meaning the inability to think for oneself without the direction of another. He argued that this immaturity persists when people rely on authorities such as priests, kings, or traditions instead of using their own rational capacities. Thus, Enlightenment was both an intellectual process and a moral imperative, calling individuals to courageously exercise independent judgment. Another fundamental aspect of Enlightenment thought is the belief in the autonomy and dignity of the individual. Thinkers like Locke asserted that all persons possess natural rights—life, liberty, and property—which exist prior to the formation of political society and must be respected by any legitimate government. This view directly challenged the divine right of kings and other hierarchical political systems that treated individuals as subjects without inherent rights. From this basis emerged key political principles that shape modern democracies: the rule of law, separation of powers, consent of the governed, and the idea that political authority must be justified by its ability to protect individual rights rather than