philosophes
/fɪləˈzɒfs/
noun
- A group of French thinkers and writers during the Enlightenment in the 18th century who promoted reason, science, and social reform.
- Many philosophes contributed to the Encyclopédie, a major reference work.
- The ideas of the philosophes helped shape modern democratic thought.
- The philosophes, including Voltaire and Rousseau, challenged traditional authority.
Synonyms