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?

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

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

John Locke

• Meaning of title?

• What are his questions?

• What role does reason play in his thought?

• Is this a “reasonable” reading?

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)?

For next time

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