Which of the following philosophies directly contributed to the start of the enlightenment in the 17th century?

D. Hobbes's theory that all men are inherently evil and need a single all-powerful monarch to rule over them.

Explanation:

According to a different source, these are the options that come with this question:

A. Nietzsche's theory of nihilism, in which it is believed life has no meaning.

B. Montesquieu's idea of dividing political power among several branches of government.

C. Aquinas's arguments for the existence of God and his definitions of the nature of God.

D. Hobbes's theory that all men are inherently evil and need a single all-powerful monarch to rule over them.

The political philosophy that Hobbes developed was one of the major theories to contribute to the start of the Enlightenment in the 17th century. This theory states that government exists in order to provide safety. This is because, in a state of anarchy, men will abuse and kill each other, as we are naturally evil and selfish. The existence of a government ensures our protection in exchange of giving up a certain degree of freedom. This is known as the social contract.

d) all choices are correct