Enlightenment thinkers like Denis Diderot and Voltaire played significant roles in challenging religious structures through their ideas and writings. Among the options you provided, the following statement best reflects their approach:
Diderot and Voltaire used reasoning rather than religion to explain the natural world.
Both philosophers emphasized reason, scientific inquiry, and empirical evidence over religious dogma. They criticized the traditional authority of the Church and its role in society, advocating for religious tolerance and freedom of thought.
-
Voltaire was known for his criticism of organized religion, notably the Catholic Church, which he felt suppressed individual freedom and reason. He famously championed the separation of church and state and argued for civil liberties including freedom of expression and tolerance.
-
Diderot, as the co-founder and chief editor of the "Encyclopédie," aimed to compile and disseminate human knowledge while promoting rational thought over superstition and religious dogma. His work encouraged critical thinking and skepticism toward established beliefs, including religious ones.
In summary, both thinkers fundamentally believed that human reason should be the guiding force in understanding the world, rather than relying solely on religious explanations. This challenge to religious authority was a hallmark of Enlightenment thought, paving the way for modern secularism and the principles of scientific inquiry.