The Enlightenment, spanning the late 17th to the 18th centuries, facilitated a transition that greatly advanced science and public understanding of the universe through rationalism and empiricism. Philosophers and scientists, like Isaac Newton and Voltaire, championed reason over tradition, promoting critical thinking and skepticism of established norms. Scientific discoveries in areas such as physics, astronomy, and biology led to a deeper comprehension of natural laws and the universe's workings. The Enlightenment also propelled ideas about human rights and governance, inspiring movements for democracy and education. This period laid the intellectual groundwork for modern scientific inquiry and the eventual emergence of the scientific method.