Middle School

Read this passage from a historical narrative about the Enlightenment:

"In the 18th century, an intellectual movement called the Enlightenment started in Europe. The thinkers who made up this movement challenged many traditional European political beliefs. John Locke, for instance, argued that all people had natural rights that no leader could take away. He also suggested that citizens had the right to overthrow leaders who failed to protect their rights. Other Enlightenment thinkers called for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and limits on governmental power. These ideas are central to many democratic governments today."

Which statement best describes the passage's main idea?

A. The Enlightenment introduced many political ideas that are still relevant today.
B. John Locke was one of the most important Enlightenment thinkers.
C. Enlightenment thinkers forced their governments to grant citizens freedom of speech.
D. The Enlightenment started in Europe during the 18th century.

Answer :

Answer:

The correct answer is letter "A".

The statement that best describes the passage main idea is: "The Enlightenment introduced many political ideas that are still relevant today".

Explanation:

The Enlightenment was a historical-cultural movement characterized by a secular vision of life based on the idea that human beings can know the natural and social world and take control of our lives through reason.

Religious traditions go to the background and the priority is the autonomy of the human being. In that context, the concept of "citizen" appears.

The concept of autonomy of the individual is central to the ethics of the Enlightenment and to the idea of Modernity. At the same time allows to talk about the autonomy of the citizen. It means that conscience should not be subjected to external forces: art must not obey religion, science is not subject to politics. The autonomy of the individual, in other words, bases the modern value of freedom.

The modern political order has incorporated the illustrated idea of "autonomy". This idea of autonomy and freedom occupies a central place in the constitutional structure of democratic countries.