Rene Descartes
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they were very famous peole that influenced the enlightenment period.
The intellectual movement in France during the 1700s that included philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot was called Enlightenment. They were called Follower of the Enlightenment. The century was called the Age of Enlightenment.
In addition to mere mockery in his writings Voltaire also used science to criticize organized religion. for instance in 1726 he made a joke at a French noble's expense. The noble, rather than condescend to confront Voltaire himself, paid some hired thugs to beat him up.
Voltaire believed in tolerance, reason, freedom of religious beliefs, and freedom of speech.
Interesting question. Turns out Voltaire and Catherine the Great carried on a long correspondence for about 10 years. Voltaire respected Catherine and referred to her as an "enlightened despot". Although he disapproved of her extravagant court, he admired her strong leadership and rule. He also called her the "Star of the North". He thought so highly of Catherine, he evidently kept a portrait of her in his bedroom. Catherine corresponded with some of the greatest minds of the era and encouraged arts, philosophy and sciences.