Understanding the foundational concepts.
The capacity of humans to make sense of things, to establish and verify facts, and to change or justify practices, institutions, and beliefs based on new or existing information.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.
Inalienable rights believed to be inherent to human beings, not dependent on governments or traditions. Often cited as life, liberty, and property.
An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for political state authority.
The theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. Stimulated by the new sciences, empiricism had a profound effect on the development of philosophy.
A philosophical approach that emphasizes reason as the primary source and test of knowledge. It stands in contrast to empiricism.
A model for the governance of a state. It divides the state into different branches, each with its own responsibilities and checks on the other branches.
The idea that human society is moving forward in a particular direction, often towards greater knowledge, technology, or well-being.
Supreme power or authority. In political theory, the supreme authority within a territory, able to make and enforce laws.
The belief that God created the universe but does not intervene in its affairs. God is seen as a "clockmaker" who set the universe in motion and let it run.