The concept pivotal during the Enlightenment that shaped modern scientific inquiry was reason. Enlightenment thinkers championed the use of reason and empirical evidence over tradition and authority, encouraging a systematic approach to understanding the world. This shift led to significant advancements in various fields, including philosophy, politics, and science. Figures like Isaac Newton and Voltaire emphasized observational science and rational thought, laying the groundwork for the scientific method. Their ideas influenced subsequent intellectual movements and continue to underpin contemporary scientific exploration and critical thinking.