The Illusion of Enlightenment Values: A Critical Examination
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Chapter 1: Understanding Enlightenment Values
The concept of "enlightenment values" is often invoked to criticize what some perceive as outdated or superstitious beliefs. While the term lacks precise definition, it generally suggests that the Enlightenment marked a departure from a "dark age" filled with superstition and religious dogma. This era is often credited with a revival of Greek philosophical ideas, leading to advancements in humanism, science, and rational thought.
In his 2018 work, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, cognitive scientist Steven Pinker posits that the world has progressively improved due to these so-called "enlightenment values." However, a closer look reveals that many of these concepts are rooted in a misleading narrative that, ironically, leaves us more perplexed and less philosophically grounded.
Section 1.1: The Separation of Church and State
The Enlightenment can be seen as a series of separations, notably between church and state, which parallels the earlier Protestant-Catholic divide. This division is deeply intertwined with the emergence of Enlightenment deism. Gottfried Ephraim Lessing famously described a "broad ugly ditch" that arose between the eternal truths of reason and the contingent truths of history, shaping much of contemporary theological discourse.
When examining current debates about the existence of God, it becomes evident that many portray God as an abstract figure detached from reality. For instance, Carl Sagan critiqued this notion, stating, “The idea that God is an oversized white male with a flowing beard who sits in the sky and tallies the fall of every sparrow is ludicrous. But if by God one means the set of physical laws that govern the universe, then clearly there is such a God.”
Subsection 1.1.1: The Philosophical Shortcomings of Modern Atheism
Similarly, Richard Dawkins’ critiques in The Blind Watchmaker echo this mechanical view of the universe, framing God as an external creator, which precedes the intelligent design movement—a perspective that aligns with deist beliefs. In contrast to the Enlightenment's claim of philosophical recovery as a means to dispel religion, these contemporary interpretations reflect a lack of philosophical depth. Dawkins often engages with a version of God that simplifies the debate, avoiding more complex philosophical inquiries established by thinkers like Plato and Aquinas.
This perspective overlooks the rich philosophical discussions concerning universals and values, as well as Aquinas' synthesis of Aristotelian thought. Theology, in this light, becomes a mere contest over whether creation appears designed, reducing God's role to a mechanical orchestrator who has since stepped back from creation.
Section 1.2: The Crisis of Values and Morality
The absence of a robust philosophical framework leaves many modern humanists and atheists grappling with the concept of morality. Without engaging with Platonic ideals or the problem of universals, morality risks becoming arbitrary. When Stephen Hawking claimed that “philosophy is dead,” he implied that philosophy had fallen behind physics. In truth, it reflects a misunderstanding of the intricate connections that existed long before the Enlightenment, where Christian thinkers adeptly merged Greek philosophy with theological principles.
Chapter 2: Reassessing Enlightenment Contributions
What about Pinker's other "enlightenment values"—Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress? Immanuel Kant critiqued pure reason, and David Hume asserted that “Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions.” The scientific revolution, often mistakenly seen as a product of the Enlightenment, actually predates it, with the term "science" emerging much later, as historian Seb Falk elucidates in The Light Ages. The notion that science arose solely after the medieval period overlooks its historical foundations.
Humanism primarily stems from Protestant influences rather than purely atheistic reflections. While technological advancements are evident, the idea of societal progress attributed to Enlightenment values remains questionable. Even Dawkins acknowledges this by identifying as a “cultural Christian,” revealing how much of modernity is built upon religious legacies.
In conclusion, the so-called "enlightenment values" are often misrepresented. Our usage of this term reflects a mythos that aligns more with our aspirations than with historical reality. While many Enlightenment thinkers contributed significantly to our understanding, the belief that this singular period birthed the values cherished by humanists is largely unfounded.