An important philosophical idea during the Enlightenment was that

Men have inherent worth, so are capable of being their own moral agents independent of a creator. One immediate implication is that you are free from claims of divine right to rule over you. So men are capable of self-rule. No-one had the right to rule over another. This opens the question of the commons, what is meant by public good or general will. As a result, we have rights that are inalienable because we are morally bound to use this moral worth. We cannot cede our liberty to another. There is plenty of friction in this when it comes to the public good. So these things are recognized: All men are created equal. All men have political freedom, so they have the right to life, liberty, the health to use that liberty, and the pursuit of property. Jefferson changed "property" to "happiness."

One must pursue knowledge and embrace sciences and art