The Age of Reason from "summary" of From Dawn to Decadence by Jacques Barzun
The age of Reason was an epoch in which the intellect was celebrated as the supreme faculty of man, capable of understanding and controlling the world. This period was marked by a rejection of tradition and superstition in favor of empirical observation and rational analysis. Reason was seen as the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and improving the human condition. During the age of Reason, thinkers sought to apply the principles of logic and evidence to all areas of human endeavor. Science, politics, and philosophy were all subject to the scrutiny of reason. Religious beliefs were also subjected to rational analysis, leading to the rise of skepticism and secularism. The age of Reason was characterized by a belief in progress and human perfectibility. Enlightenment thinkers believed that through the application of reason, man could overcome ignorance, superstition, and tyranny. They saw reason as a universal solvent that could dissolve all the problems of the world. The Enlightenment was a time of great optimism and confidence in the power of reason. It was a period in which thinkers believed that reason could solve all of humanity's problems and lead to a better, more enlightened society. This faith in reason led to a rejection of traditional authority and a belief in the ability of individuals to think for themselves. The age of Reason was not without its critics, however. Some thinkers argued that reason, when divorced from tradition and morality, could lead to nihilism and moral relativism. Others believed that reason alone was not enough to solve the complex problems of human existence. Despite these criticisms, the age of Reason left a lasting legacy on Western civilization. Its emphasis on rationality, skepticism, and progress continues to shape our understanding of the world. The Enlightenment thinkers may have been idealistic in their belief in the power of reason, but their legacy lives on in the modern world.
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