Key qualities that distinguished Enlightenment philosophers included a commitment to reason, empiricism, and skepticism towards traditional authority. They emphasized rational thought and scientific inquiry as foundations for understanding the world, advocating for knowledge based on observation and evidence rather than dogma. Enlightenment thinkers valued individual liberty, human rights, and the ideals of democracy, challenging established norms and questioning the divine right of kings. Their emphasis on education and social progress fostered reform movements across Europe and laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles, ultimately inspiring revolutions and the development of contemporary political and ethical frameworks.