age of reason
The 'age of reason' can refer to a specific age in childhood when moral reasoning begins, or a historical period known for its emphasis on rational thought.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Child Development
(general)The age, typically around seven, when a child is considered capable of understanding right from wrong.
Example
- In many cultures, children are believed to reach the age of reason by seven.
C1Roman Catholicism
(religious)The age, generally seven, when a child becomes morally responsible for their actions.
Example
- In the Catholic Church, the age of reason is significant for receiving certain sacraments.
B2History
(capitalized, academic)A period in the 17th and 18th centuries focused on reason, science, and intellectual progress, also known as the Enlightenment.
Example
- The Age of Reason brought about major advancements in science and philosophy.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "age of reason":