This subfield of study examined religious beliefs and practices during the Enlightenment era, including the emergence of new religious ideologies and the challenges posed to traditional faiths.
Age of Enlightenment: The period in European history, spanning from the late 17th to the late 18th century, characterized by the emphasis on rationality, scientific inquiry, and the questioning of traditional authority.
Deism: A belief system that emerged during the Age of Enlightenment, which posits the existence of a God or Creator who is not directly involved in the affairs of the world.
Natural Religion: A religious philosophy that emphasizes the study of nature and the natural world as a means of understanding the world's mysteries and seeking spiritual truth.
Scientific Revolution: The period of intellectual and cultural upheaval in Europe, lasting from the 16th to the 18th century, which saw the emergence of modern science and the spread of scientific empiricism.
Enlightenment philosophy: The philosophical and intellectual movement that emerged during the Age of Enlightenment, emphasizing reason, individualism, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Secularization: The process by which religion and religious institutions lose their social, cultural, and political authority and significance in a society.
Rationalism: A philosophical worldview that emphasizes the role of reason and logic in understanding the world and seeking truth.
Skepticism: The philosophical position of the questioning of the validity or truth of various knowledge claims or concepts.
Atheism: The rejection of belief in the existence of deities or higher powers.
Humanism: A philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively.
Religious tolerance: The acceptance and appreciation of differing religious beliefs and practices within a society.
Enlightenment politics: Political theories and practices that emerged during the Age of Enlightenment, based on the principles of individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and the separation of powers.
Anti-clericalism: Opposition to the political and social power of the clergy or other religious authorities.
Enlightenment literature: Works of literature written during the Age of Enlightenment that explore themes of individualism, reason, skepticism, and scientific discovery.
Church-state separation: The principle of keeping religion and government separate, usually through the implementation of laws and policies that promote a secular state.