Enlightenment thoughts are reflective of a period in history when science and reason, more than faith and tradition, were valued by society. This period was characterized by an agitation for reform and a questioning of the existing societal structures. These enlightenment thoughts had a significant impact on human rights, leading to the creation of a popular philosophy that all people possess inalienable rights that, regardless of country or culture, are fundamental. This philosophy is crystallized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Enlightenment figures such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for the rights of all humans to live with freedom. They saw the conception of governments as a contract between people and their rulers where the primary aim of governance is for the preservation and protection of natural rights.
The influence of the Enlightenment on the development of human rights is also noticeable in the American Revolution. As the colonists legitimately resisted English rule, they relied heavily on enlightenment ideas, an idea that led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
The Enlightenment also had an impact on the French Revolution, which culminated in the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, a historic document that underscores the idea of fundamental human rights.
Furthermore, the Enlightenment thinkers brought about and fueled the abolition movement to terminate the transatlantic slave trade and bring about the release of slaves globally. Through enlightened thinking, such humanitarian causes could be discussed, debated, and enacted on.
In conclusion, the influence of Enlightenment thoughts on human rights is undeniable. Concepts such as equality, liberty, and fraternity, which emerged from the Enlightenment, would continue to play a pivotal role in shaping modern democracies and respect for human rights today.
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