The Enlightenment vision : science, reason, and the promise of a better future /
Jordan, Stuart D.
Amherst, N.Y. : Prometheus Books,
2012.
It evaluates the process that society has made since the Enlightenment and offers a cautiously optimistic vision for the future. In the 17th and 18th centuries, a major cultural shift took place in western Europe. Leading thinkers began to emphasize the use of reason to tackle the challenges of life.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-265) and index.
Machine generated contents note: pt. 1 THE ENLIGHTENMENT THEN AND NOW -- ch. 1 The Historical Enlightenment -- The Historical Enlightenment Vision -- The Enlightenment in Europe -- Enlightenment Influences on the Early United States -- The Humanism of the Historical Enlightenment -- ch. 2 Status of Enlightenment Goals Today -- Varieties of Societal Progress -- Societal Progress to Date: Successes and Failures -- ch. 3 Ignorance, Superstition, and Juggernaut Technology -- Widespread Ignorance -- Enervating Superstitions -- Juggernaut Technology -- pt. 2 PROSPECTS FOR PROGRESS -- ch. 4 The Critical Role of Science -- Science, the Superior Way of Understanding the Natural World -- Science, Human Nature, and a Better Future -- A Brief Digression on Ethics -- Science and Ethics -- ch. 5 Science for Life -- Physical Science and Life Science -- Evolutionary Biology -- Neurophysiology and Cognitive Psychology -- Is Brain Science Risky? -- Brain Science for a Better World --
Contents note continued: ch. 6 Universal Human Rights -- Human Rights and the Enlightenment -- Countering Racism -- Overcoming Sexism -- Women's Rights for a Better World -- pt. 3 TOWARD A MORE HUMANISTIC WORLD -- ch. 7 Religion Evolving -- The Enlightenment and Religion -- From the Brutal Gods to the Disappearing Gods -- Should Nontheists Attack Religion? -- The Religious Culture War in America Today -- ch. 8 The Primacy of Politics Today -- The Role of Religion in Politics -- The Primacy of Politics Today -- The Problem of Nationalism -- Achieving a Working Democracy---with an American Example -- Political Moves toward World Government -- ch. 9 Planetary Humanism -- The Ethical Basis for Planetary Humanism -- The Pragmatic Basis for Planetary Humanism -- The Prospects for Planetary Humanism -- pt. 4 REASSESSING THE ENLIGHTENMENT -- ch. 10 Overcoming Crippling Ignorance -- Living with Ignorance Today -- Crippling Ignorance of Two Kinds --
Contents note continued: Why Quality Public Education Is Needed -- Overcoming Crippling Ignorance before the Deluge -- ch. 11 Reassessing the Enlightenment Today -- The Inertia of Tradition -- The Rough Road Ahead -- The Inevitable Failure of Reaction -- Progress under Restraint -- The Enlightenment Today -- ch. 12 Toward a Better Future -- Summary of This Enlightenment Thesis -- Looking Far Ahead -- Returning to the Present.
It evaluates the process that society has made since the Enlightenment and offers a cautiously optimistic vision for the future. In the 17th and 18th centuries, a major cultural shift took place in western Europe. Leading thinkers began to emphasize the use of reason to tackle the challenges of life.
Enlightenment.
Civilization