Major Issues of the Enlightenment

How does human knowledge work?  How, or from where, does the mind get its ideas?  How reliable is human reason?  Is reason or the human will (desire) the primary driver of human behavior?


What is basic human nature?  (or what is the "natural man").  What was man like before societies formed and how, if at all, does civilization affect man's basic human nature? 

Given a basic human nature, what is the best type of society (and government), is most beneficial? 

What is the best form of government/ absolute monarchs?  A constitutional monarchy with a parliament?  A representational democracy (republican government)?  How should governments be structured?

Is there such a thing as "natural law" and "natural rights?"  If so, where do they come from and how does one recognizes a natural right?

Is reason alone enough to form the basis of a good society (to determine what is moral and what laws should be implemented?) or is a combination of reason and something else (e.g. faith, or tradition) needed?

Are all people equally capable of learning?  Should there be widespread education, or education of a select few?  Are all men capable of participating in government?

Discouraging belief that Biblical events actually happened, discouraging "superstitions" that natural events (e.g. earthquakes) were signs from God that He was angry, and much more.  


Other Specific Issues

Economic systems

(Anti) colonialism

Abolition of slavery

Rules of warfare (Just War theory)

Ending state censorship

Secularizing the state (separation of church and state)

Ending political torture and the death penalty

Decriminalizing homosexuality

Women's Rights