noun
- plural of philosophe; French Enlightenment thinkers and writers of the 18th century who promoted reason, science, and social reform
Usage: historical
Examples
- The philosophes challenged traditional authority and religious dogma.
- Voltaire and Diderot were among the most influential philosophes.
- The philosophes believed in the power of reason to improve society.
- Many philosophes contributed to the famous Encyclopedia.
- The ideas of the philosophes influenced the French Revolution.
- Salons provided meeting places for the philosophes to discuss their ideas.