Kant was only one among thousands of philosophes, intellectuals, and scientists to ‘think for themselves’. Knowledge was freedom, at least in the sense that one could perceive mankind and the world in which he lived in whatever capacity he wished. Western society did not need and, in fact, questioned the right of political and religious authorities to tell them how to think, to live, and to worship.
The Philosophes and Christianity
While the Philosophes almost uniformly disdained orthodox Christianity and any organized religion for that matter, they did not encourage a widespread rejection of Christianity. They challenged their society to read John Locke’s political philosophies and study Isaac Newton’s incredible new science as well as a host of other reputed scholarly works. Then (and only then) could an individual become ‘enlightened’ and have the ‘freedom’ to choose whatever course of religion and politics they so desired. The Philosophes wanted knowledge, all knowledge, available to their societies and they wanted truth (for whatever that may be) to prevail over all else.
Knowledge Throughout the Ages
Man’s quest for knowledge certainly did not begin in the Age of Enlightenment, nor has it ever ended. The fourteenth century witnessed the birth of the Renaissance and the Humanist movement throughout much of Europe. The intellectuals of this time began to question the empirical world-view purported by the Church. Doubt emerged. Maybe God was not the answer to all questions.
It was Roger Bacon, a Franciscan Friar, in the thirteenth century who provided a powerful motive to question religion and study science. He came up with the ‘scientific method’ and its purpose was simple: investigate and experiment. In doing so, Bacon did not wish to question Christianity, but understand it even more. Since God created the world, then studying that world could be a way a giving greater reverence to God. Many scientists took Bacon up on his offer; Copernicus, Descartes, Vesalius, Kepler, Galileo, Harvey, Boyle, a host of others, and, of course, Sir Isaac Newton. While Newton was not the first scientist, his works had a more profound impact on the course of mankind than any before him.
Never Cease to Learn
Knowledge, above all else, was (and is) the key to life. In this sense, even today, are we not modern philosophes? As writers, students, and professionals of the highest order (regardless of our varied motives for acquiring knowledge) are we not carrying on the proud tradition started by the philosophes of the eighteenth century?
Hmmm...just something to think about.
Sources
Peter Gay, The Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Paganism (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1966)
