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Age of Reason
Modern society is undoubtedly a product of its history. Each epoch of human history leaves a trace of its distinct character for the world’s citizens to relish for years to come. The Age of Reason was without question such an epoch. The importance of reason in human nature and daily life fostered during this period is still very apparent today. Three superb thinkers of this period, greatly supporting reason and the idea that humans are rational animals, are René Descartes, John Locke, and Jonathan Swift. Each of these men had great veneration for reason, and this is shown through their highly respected literary works.
Possibly the greatest known philosopher of his time, René Descartes stood out as a bold thinker. After completing a rather extensive formal education, his focus and life’s work was dedicated to that which fascinated him most: the search for the understanding of all through introspection. In his widely-read essay, “Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking Truth in the Science,” more commonly and more conveniently known as “Discourse on Method,” Descartes describes his task as such: “as soon as my age permitted me to pass from under the control of my instructors, I entirely abandoned the study of letters and resolved no longer to seek any other science than the knowledge of myself, or of the great book of the world”(16). The knowledge of oneself, and of his so-called “book of the world,” can be obtained solely through a process of reason. He argues that it is reason alone “which constitutes us men, and distinguishes us from the brutes”(13). Therefore, according to him, the human being is an elite animal, distinguished by his (or her) ability of rational thought. It is this nature as a rational animal that puts humans in their supreme position amongst all life. Descartes maintains further that reason “is to be found complete in each individual”(13), and is “by nature equal in all men”(13). Each man has equal opportunity for reasoning and being fully “human” as the next; but the way in which he conducts his thoughts and where he fixes his attention determines the uniqueness of his mind (13). Descartes claims that fixing one’s thoughts and attention on certain things rather than others will render him with a better understanding. Real life hanRAB-on experiences of the world will result in more valuable knowledge, and will render one with greater reasoning skills. After his formal education, Descartes spent the remainder of his youth “in travelling, in visiting courts and armies, in holding intercourse with men of different dispositions and ranks, in collecting varied experience . . . and, above all, in making such reflections on the matter of [his] experience as to secure [his] improvement”(16). Rather than consume his time and energy with extensive study of letters, he engaged himself in a quest for experience, and for making sense of these experiences. Notice that after listing experiences in which he loves to participate, he states that above all, it is the reflection of one’s experiences that deserves the most of his attention. Descartes argues that there is much more truth in “the reasonings of each individual with reference to the affairs in which he is personally interested . . . than in those connected by a man of letters in his study”(16). Although studying through letters may bring knowledge, it is the engagement in interesting experiences and subsequent personal reflection on these experiences that bring insight, a more desirable quality. According to René Descartes, this insight is the key to fostering internally the ability to clearly “discriminate the right path in life and proceed in it with confidence”(17), quite possibly the only worthy lifelong pursuit.
Another greatly influential philosopher of the Age of Reason, John Locke, shares many of René Descartes’ views, particularly with respect to the nature of humans as rational animals. Locke, in his essay “Of Civil Government,” describes his perception of human nature, with significant emphasis how this nature affects the formulation and execution of civil communities. A recurring theme is the importance of reason in man’s actions, and how this reason shall prevail when men unite to form societies. In his section on the state of nature, Locke describes: “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it . . .”(65). According to him, reason is the law which governs nature, especially the actions of man. Because of their ability to reason, “all men are naturally in . . . a state of perfect freedom”(65). Man’s natural freedom, a result of his innate rational thought process, is the basis of Locke’s entire political philosophy. In his essay, he extensively describes man’s naturally given rights which are all based on reason, and his ability to use reason to determine whether these rights are being violated. “Every one,” he states, “so by the like reason, when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind”(66). It is each man’s job to live life according to reason such that he does not harm himself or others. Descartes maintained that since human beings are highly rational beings, they are innately superior to other animals, or any non-reasoning object. Locke emphasizes this view when he speaks of man’s right with regarRAB to property. He argues that since God has given men superior reason, he “hath also given them reason to make use of it to the best advantage of life, and convenience”(68). “The earth, and all that is therein,” he says, “is given to men for the support and comfort of their being”(68). Since reason is the law of nature, “the earth, and all inferior creatures”(68) are subject to whatever a reasoning creature deems desirable. John Locke’s view of man and his surroundings is clearly one based on reason, much like his foregoer, René Descartes.
Jonathan Swift is yet another important figure of the seventeenth and eighteenth century. His most famous work, Gulliver’s Travels, is a satire of Swift’s surroundings, political and otherwise, during his life in Ireland and England. Though much of this work is focused on singling out and satirizing specific events and people of his time, there is undoubtedly an underlying reflection of Swift’s personal philosophies and worldview through the thoughts of the narrator, Gulliver. One such theme, especially dominant in Book IV, is a clear reverence for reason, much like Swift’s predecessors Descartes and Locke. Swift however, unlike his precursors, shows obvious doubt in humans’ ability to fully achieve the desired rationality. The allegory of the Houyhnhnms and the yahoos represents the conflict between the ideal reason of human beings, and the actual reasoning employed by them. On one of his journeys, Gulliver comes across an island called Houyhnhnmland, mainly inhabited by two species: a horse-like creature called a Houyhnhnm, and a species called a yahoo that closely reserables a human. The Houyhnhnms are supreme reasoning animals; all of their decisions and all aspects of their society are based on reason. Gulliver, upon discovering their great reasoning ability, develops a great admiration for them, even to the point of reverence. This reflects Swift’s reverence for reason. The yahoos, on the other hand, act out of passion and emotion; they are not completely void of reasoning ability, but they lack the supreme reason of the Houyhnhnms. It is not coincidental that these creatures have the appearance of people, for they serve as a model of the human race. Most of their decisions are based purely on passion, and from the point of view of a highly rational individual (like that of a Houyhnhnm), they appear pathetic; Swift’s satire on yahoo behavior is traced with seriousness. Through this allegory, Swift portrays both the ideal nature of man, and the real nature of man. Although he holRAB reason in very high esteem, Jonathan Swift is more of a realist than his forerunners.
Each of these spectacular thinkers may have had a different world view. Their values, principles, thoughts, and feelings may also have differed significantly. They all had distinct interests, hobbies, opinions, and frienRAB. But one thing brings these men together, despite their differences: The Age of Reason. Their belief in the rational thought process of man distinguished them amongst their contemporaries, as well as amongst scholars and the common man alike for years to come. Arguably, their thoughts are as ingrained in Western culture as any three men’s
Modern society is undoubtedly a product of its history. Each epoch of human history leaves a trace of its distinct character for the world’s citizens to relish for years to come. The Age of Reason was without question such an epoch. The importance of reason in human nature and daily life fostered during this period is still very apparent today. Three superb thinkers of this period, greatly supporting reason and the idea that humans are rational animals, are René Descartes, John Locke, and Jonathan Swift. Each of these men had great veneration for reason, and this is shown through their highly respected literary works.
Possibly the greatest known philosopher of his time, René Descartes stood out as a bold thinker. After completing a rather extensive formal education, his focus and life’s work was dedicated to that which fascinated him most: the search for the understanding of all through introspection. In his widely-read essay, “Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking Truth in the Science,” more commonly and more conveniently known as “Discourse on Method,” Descartes describes his task as such: “as soon as my age permitted me to pass from under the control of my instructors, I entirely abandoned the study of letters and resolved no longer to seek any other science than the knowledge of myself, or of the great book of the world”(16). The knowledge of oneself, and of his so-called “book of the world,” can be obtained solely through a process of reason. He argues that it is reason alone “which constitutes us men, and distinguishes us from the brutes”(13). Therefore, according to him, the human being is an elite animal, distinguished by his (or her) ability of rational thought. It is this nature as a rational animal that puts humans in their supreme position amongst all life. Descartes maintains further that reason “is to be found complete in each individual”(13), and is “by nature equal in all men”(13). Each man has equal opportunity for reasoning and being fully “human” as the next; but the way in which he conducts his thoughts and where he fixes his attention determines the uniqueness of his mind (13). Descartes claims that fixing one’s thoughts and attention on certain things rather than others will render him with a better understanding. Real life hanRAB-on experiences of the world will result in more valuable knowledge, and will render one with greater reasoning skills. After his formal education, Descartes spent the remainder of his youth “in travelling, in visiting courts and armies, in holding intercourse with men of different dispositions and ranks, in collecting varied experience . . . and, above all, in making such reflections on the matter of [his] experience as to secure [his] improvement”(16). Rather than consume his time and energy with extensive study of letters, he engaged himself in a quest for experience, and for making sense of these experiences. Notice that after listing experiences in which he loves to participate, he states that above all, it is the reflection of one’s experiences that deserves the most of his attention. Descartes argues that there is much more truth in “the reasonings of each individual with reference to the affairs in which he is personally interested . . . than in those connected by a man of letters in his study”(16). Although studying through letters may bring knowledge, it is the engagement in interesting experiences and subsequent personal reflection on these experiences that bring insight, a more desirable quality. According to René Descartes, this insight is the key to fostering internally the ability to clearly “discriminate the right path in life and proceed in it with confidence”(17), quite possibly the only worthy lifelong pursuit.
Another greatly influential philosopher of the Age of Reason, John Locke, shares many of René Descartes’ views, particularly with respect to the nature of humans as rational animals. Locke, in his essay “Of Civil Government,” describes his perception of human nature, with significant emphasis how this nature affects the formulation and execution of civil communities. A recurring theme is the importance of reason in man’s actions, and how this reason shall prevail when men unite to form societies. In his section on the state of nature, Locke describes: “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it . . .”(65). According to him, reason is the law which governs nature, especially the actions of man. Because of their ability to reason, “all men are naturally in . . . a state of perfect freedom”(65). Man’s natural freedom, a result of his innate rational thought process, is the basis of Locke’s entire political philosophy. In his essay, he extensively describes man’s naturally given rights which are all based on reason, and his ability to use reason to determine whether these rights are being violated. “Every one,” he states, “so by the like reason, when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind”(66). It is each man’s job to live life according to reason such that he does not harm himself or others. Descartes maintained that since human beings are highly rational beings, they are innately superior to other animals, or any non-reasoning object. Locke emphasizes this view when he speaks of man’s right with regarRAB to property. He argues that since God has given men superior reason, he “hath also given them reason to make use of it to the best advantage of life, and convenience”(68). “The earth, and all that is therein,” he says, “is given to men for the support and comfort of their being”(68). Since reason is the law of nature, “the earth, and all inferior creatures”(68) are subject to whatever a reasoning creature deems desirable. John Locke’s view of man and his surroundings is clearly one based on reason, much like his foregoer, René Descartes.
Jonathan Swift is yet another important figure of the seventeenth and eighteenth century. His most famous work, Gulliver’s Travels, is a satire of Swift’s surroundings, political and otherwise, during his life in Ireland and England. Though much of this work is focused on singling out and satirizing specific events and people of his time, there is undoubtedly an underlying reflection of Swift’s personal philosophies and worldview through the thoughts of the narrator, Gulliver. One such theme, especially dominant in Book IV, is a clear reverence for reason, much like Swift’s predecessors Descartes and Locke. Swift however, unlike his precursors, shows obvious doubt in humans’ ability to fully achieve the desired rationality. The allegory of the Houyhnhnms and the yahoos represents the conflict between the ideal reason of human beings, and the actual reasoning employed by them. On one of his journeys, Gulliver comes across an island called Houyhnhnmland, mainly inhabited by two species: a horse-like creature called a Houyhnhnm, and a species called a yahoo that closely reserables a human. The Houyhnhnms are supreme reasoning animals; all of their decisions and all aspects of their society are based on reason. Gulliver, upon discovering their great reasoning ability, develops a great admiration for them, even to the point of reverence. This reflects Swift’s reverence for reason. The yahoos, on the other hand, act out of passion and emotion; they are not completely void of reasoning ability, but they lack the supreme reason of the Houyhnhnms. It is not coincidental that these creatures have the appearance of people, for they serve as a model of the human race. Most of their decisions are based purely on passion, and from the point of view of a highly rational individual (like that of a Houyhnhnm), they appear pathetic; Swift’s satire on yahoo behavior is traced with seriousness. Through this allegory, Swift portrays both the ideal nature of man, and the real nature of man. Although he holRAB reason in very high esteem, Jonathan Swift is more of a realist than his forerunners.
Each of these spectacular thinkers may have had a different world view. Their values, principles, thoughts, and feelings may also have differed significantly. They all had distinct interests, hobbies, opinions, and frienRAB. But one thing brings these men together, despite their differences: The Age of Reason. Their belief in the rational thought process of man distinguished them amongst their contemporaries, as well as amongst scholars and the common man alike for years to come. Arguably, their thoughts are as ingrained in Western culture as any three men’s