In the Enlightenment period, there were different views concerning life and religion. The beliefs of many changed from one to the next. Changes in the economy and social standings were very prominent but the idea of progress was most important. The advances in science and technology were said to have a great influence on the conditions of human life. People thought that the quality of life caused by the progression of science and new ideas could produce a relatively happier society.
Frances A. Schaffer made this statement, "The utopian dream of the Enlightenment can be summed up by five words; reason, nature, happiness, progress and liberty." (121 How Should We Then Live) In the age of reason, people were coming away from the old traditions and beliefs. Man was going to start thinking for himself and learn what this life and the environment was about without being dependent on another person's idea. Jackson Spielvogel quoted the German philosopher Immanuel Kant when he proclaimed, "Dare to know, have the courage to use your intelligence!" (514 Western Civilization).
Man believed that, through reason, we become more aware of the laws of nature and the role it plays in the universe. This realization would then encourage man to figure out what it was that controlled and influenced a collective group of people, living together in a more or less ordered community. To the people in this time, reason was important in a changing society. They were empowered to break free from the previous primitive life to act and think correctly. Such progression, in turn, could produce an improvement on the condition of humans and as such, people can become happier with their way of life.
The Enlightenment period gave no importance or worth to emotions but viewed "reason" as the authoritative pronouncement to the fundamental truth that serves as a foundation of life. Reason, in their mind, was the key towards a development of a more advanced stage in life.
