The cultural movement that emphasized reason and individualism during the Enlightenment was known as Rationalism. This intellectual movement, which flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries, championed the use of reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy. Key thinkers, including John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau, explored ideas surrounding democracy, human rights, and the nature of government, challenging traditional beliefs and institutions such as monarchy and the Church. Rationalism laid the groundwork for modern scientific inquiry and critical thinking, influencing revolutions in politics, philosophy, and even the arts, ultimately paving the way for the progressivism of the modern age.