What was the term for Enlightenment thinkers who sought to understand the world through reason?

The term "philosophes" refers to the Enlightenment thinkers who emphasized the use of reason and rational thought to explore and understand the world. These individuals championed the principles of reason, science, and the importance of human intelligence in contributing to social and governmental reforms. Philosophes were instrumental in shaping modern Western philosophy and played a key role in advocating for ideas such as liberty, equality, and justice.

This term specifically captures the collective spirit of the Enlightenment movement, which sought to challenge established norms and foster critical thinking and inquiry. While empiricists, rationalists, and idealists also contributed to the discourse on knowledge and understanding, their definitions are narrower and do not encapsulate the broader social and philosophical reforms championed by the philosophes.