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The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment. John Locke and Matthew Tindal. Back in Europe. Huge challenges posed to Christianity Continues an aspect of the Reformation Critique authority Reformation: scripture is highest authority Enlightenment: how do we know this? Why should we accept this?.

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The Enlightenment

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  1. The Enlightenment John Locke and Matthew Tindal

  2. Back in Europe • Huge challenges posed to Christianity • Continues an aspect of the Reformation • Critique authority • Reformation: scripture is highest authority • Enlightenment: how do we know this? Why should we accept this?

  3. Forerunner: Descartes • Rene Descartes (1596-1650) • Philosopher, mathematician • “I think, therefore I am” • How do we know anything? How can we be certain? • Don’t simply trust authorities; doubt all received authority and knowledge • “Raze everything to the ground, begin again from the original foundations” • He knew he doubted; he thought, and he knew his own existence

  4. Enlightenment themes • Confidence in the abilities of human reason (to enlighten people) • How had they been in darkness? • Religion is useful when it serves morality • But not the focus on supernatural, miracles, etc., because these things cannot be explained by reason • Human reason leads to human progress • Through science, empiricism, knowledge • Humanity is progressing from primitive stages to an advanced stage

  5. John Locke • Meaning of title? • What are his questions? • What role does reason play in his thought? • Is this a “reasonable” reading?

  6. Matthew Tindal • What is natural religion? (Deism) • What does reason do? What is it capable of? • How does Tindal interpret the Biblical story (creation, law)? • How do human beings become the center of the story (cf. Placher)?

  7. For next time • Kant, “What Is Enlightenment?” • Why don’t people think for themselves? • What kind of religion does Kant favor? • What is enlightenment?

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