PREENLIGHTENMENT Meaning and
Definition
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The term "preenlightenment" refers to the period before the Enlightenment, a philosophical and intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the 18th century. This term encompasses the era that precedes the Enlightenment, characterized by the dominance of traditional religious and spiritual beliefs, and a lack of emphasis on reason, scientific inquiry, and individual freedom.
During the preenlightenment period, society was largely shaped by the authority of the Church and monarchies, which held significant power over individuals' lives. Superstitions, dogmas, and collective beliefs strongly influenced people's understanding of the world, stifling critical thinking and scientific progress. Intellectual pursuits were often limited to theological questions and religious debates conducted within the framework of established doctrines. Concepts such as human rights, individual liberty, secularism, and the separation of church and state were not yet widely explored or valued.
The preenlightenment period was marked by limited access to education and information. Intellectuals of this era often faced censorship and persecution for expressing ideas that challenged the prevailing religious and social norms. It was a time when knowledge, particularly scientific knowledge, was constrained by religious authority and political control.
The Enlightenment, which followed the preenlightenment period, brought about a dramatic shift in intellectual and cultural perspectives, emphasizing the importance of reason, empirical evidence, critical thinking, and tolerance. As a term, "preenlightenment" serves to highlight the distinct characteristics of this time period, acting as a point of comparison for the developments and transformative ideas that unfolded during the Enlightenment.
Common Misspellings for PREENLIGHTENMENT
- oreenlightenment
- lreenlightenment
- 0reenlightenment
- peeenlightenment
- pdeenlightenment
- pfeenlightenment
- pteenlightenment
- p5eenlightenment
- p4eenlightenment
- prwenlightenment
- prsenlightenment
- prdenlightenment
- prrenlightenment
- pr4enlightenment
- pr3enlightenment
- prewnlightenment
- presnlightenment
- prednlightenment
- prernlightenment
- pre4nlightenment
Etymology of PREENLIGHTENMENT
The word "preenlightenment" is a compound word, formed by combining the prefix "pre-" and the word "enlightenment".
The prefix "pre-" comes from the Latin word "prae", which means "before" or "prior to". It is often used to indicate something that happened or existed before a specific event or time.
The word "enlightenment" originated in the 1660s and is derived from the Middle English word "enlightnen", which meant "to light up" or "make light". It was used to describe the intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in 18th-century Europe, emphasizing reason, logic, and critical thinking as means to improve society and escape the influence of dogma and superstition.
Therefore, "preenlightenment" refers to the period or ideas that emerged before the Enlightenment movement, which could include various intellectual currents leading up to the Enlightenment era.
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