The Age of Reason was an 18th century movement which followed hard after the "mysticism, religion, and superstition of the Middle Ages". This time period presented new ideas about the founding of knowledge, the universe, and the way man viewed himself. Previously, you couldn't speak your mind in verbal or written form. During this period you were free to do that without being called a heretic. Individual happiness and liberty were finally able to come true. The medieval imperial concepts were abandoned. The Age of Reason also included the time period known as the Age of Enlightenment.