Question

The central doctrines of the Enlightenment were inimical to which of the following:

• A. Individual liberty
• B. Rule of law
• C. Absolute Monarchy
• D. Religious freedom

Hint:

Think of the Enlightenment as the intellectual spark for major political revolutions. The ideas of liberty, equality, and the rights of man directly fueled the American Revolution (1776) and the French Revolution (1789), both of which were fought against monarchical rule.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks which concept was opposed by the central ideas of the Enlightenment. The word 'inimical' means hostile or harmful to.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its core tenets included:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Emphasis on reason, logic, and scientific inquiry over tradition and superstition. } \\ \bullet & \text{Belief in natural rights, including individual liberty and property. } \\ \bullet & \text{The promotion of the rule of law, meaning that all citizens, including rulers, are subject to the law. } \\ \bullet & \text{Advocacy for tolerance and religious freedom. } \\ \end{array}\] These doctrines were fundamentally inimical to the prevailing system of Absolute Monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings, unchecked power, and a rigid social hierarchy. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau argued for constitutional governments and the separation of powers, directly challenging the legitimacy of absolute rulers.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The Enlightenment doctrines were hostile to Absolute Monarchy, making option (C) the correct answer.