Which of the following best characterizes the transformation in ideas during the Enlightenment?

The correct characterization of the transformation in ideas during the Enlightenment is the emphasis on empirical evidence and logic. This period, roughly from the late 17th century to the 18th century, marked a significant shift in the way individuals approached knowledge and understanding of the world.

Enlightenment thinkers advocated for the use of reason and scientific methods to explore and explain natural phenomena, human behavior, and government. This focus on rational thought and evidence-based reasoning led to significant advancements in various fields, such as philosophy, science, and political theory. Key figures, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Isaac Newton, encouraged questioning traditional authorities and beliefs, laying the groundwork for modern democratic thought and scientific inquiry.

This transformation contrasted sharply with perspectives that relied on blind faith in monarchs and religion, promoted outdated social structures like serfdom and feudalism, or prioritized tradition over reason. The Enlightenment's insistence on logic and evidential reasoning reshaped societal views and contributed to the eventual questioning of absolute monarchies and the rise of modern secular governance.