Chapter 1 Flashcards
(11 cards)
Why do we read old authors?
Because they have a different perspective that allows us to see our blind spots and mistakes. They make different mistakes than we do, allowing us to recognize how we think about the world.
What is the other name for the Enlightenment? What question permeated this period of Western history?
the Age of Reason
“Whom can we trust?”
An obvious word in enlightenment is “light”. What is this light a metaphor for? Conversely, what is darkness a metaphor for? What can the very name of “the Enlightenment” tell us about how people view that time?
Darkness is often associated with danger and a lack of knowledge. The darkness is a metaphor for the darkness of the human mind, its lack of knowledge, and the light is the knowledge shining light on the human mind. The Enlightenment is the time everyone went from ignorance to light, gaining true knowledge of the world around them by way of reason.
What was Scholasticism?
Scholasticism was the philosophy that combined Christianity and Aristotelianism.
How is the Enlightenment often characterized?
As the turn from religion to reason. (This is an oversimplification, but does show the general trend.)
Lewis observes that students are often more likely to read a book about Plato than to read Plato himself. Why is it that students often consult contemporary books instead of old ones? What is Lewis’ response to this?
In Lewis’ day, the idea persisted that only professionals should read Plato himself, and the student had inadequate knowledge or intelligence to understand him. Lewis replies that because of his greatness, Plate and other old books are very likely more understandable than any commentary on him, not to mention more worthwhile and more enjoyable.
What was Lewis often “struck by” when reading about the controversies of past ages? What question do you think this prompts about our own time?
Lewis was stuck by the realization that both sides were usually assuming without question a good deal which we would today absolutely deny. Thus, despite their disagreements, both sides actually held a great deal of assumptions in common. This should make us wonder what assumptions we hold without realizing them.
What is the motto of the Enlightenment?
“Sapere aude!” (Dare to know)
Or in Kant’s words, “Have the courage to use your own understanding.”
What freedom does Kant say is essential for enlightenment?
Freedom to make public use of one’s reason in all matters at all times.
Kant distinguishes between a person’s civic duty vs. their role as a “scholar”. What is the difference between these duties? What is an example Kant uses to illustrate this?
A persons civic duty, i.e., their job, requires straightforward obedience for society to run smoothly. But at the same time, everyone has a role as a “scholar” to present their true, reasoned opinions to the public. To illustrate this, Kant uses the example of a soldier. When he is acting in his civic duty, he must obey superiors regardless of his personal view on the justness or utility of the orders. But when he is acting as a private citizen, he must be free to criticize them and to submit his views to the public for judgement.
What does Kant say is the most harmful and dishonorable kind of nonage?
Nonage in religion(, being unable or unwilling to use one’s own understanding to seek one’s own salvation without another’s guidance.)
