It's a beautiful day AND the day that Rene Descartes was born.
Descartes was part of that glorious group of philosophers who re-vitalised European thinking in the 17th century, these included Spinoza, Leibniz, Hobbes, Hume, Locke, and of course Rousseau.
Having studied them all at uni, I realised that I was a child of the Enlightenment and rationality, indeed it is that very rationality that underpins my political philosophy and makes me a Liberal.
In fact it is another phrase of Descartes' that best sums up my worldview
Dubium sapientiae initium... Doubt is the origin of wisdom.
Indeed, it leads to my belief that politics should be evidence-based rather than pure dogma.
Showing posts with label enlightenment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label enlightenment. Show all posts
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Heliocentrism vs. Geocentrism
Nowadays, when we hear of religious intolerance, most folk tend to think of Islam, forgetting that Christianity and Judaism among others have not had a terribly glorious past (or present) in their acceptance of heterodoxy.
On this day in 1600, the astronomer Giordano Bruno, was burned at the stake by the Inquisition after being found guilty of heresy.
Inspired by Copernicus, he argued for an infinite universe, with our sun as merely one of an infinite number of independent heavenly bodies. Something that we now take for granted.
Science offers us as much awe and wonderment as any religion ever can, as the espousal of the heliocentric cosmology shows.
It is the lot of humankind to forever be seeking answers to “unknowable” questions, which is why immutable dogma and superstition will always lose out to science and enlightenment.
On this day in 1600, the astronomer Giordano Bruno, was burned at the stake by the Inquisition after being found guilty of heresy.
Inspired by Copernicus, he argued for an infinite universe, with our sun as merely one of an infinite number of independent heavenly bodies. Something that we now take for granted.
Science offers us as much awe and wonderment as any religion ever can, as the espousal of the heliocentric cosmology shows.
It is the lot of humankind to forever be seeking answers to “unknowable” questions, which is why immutable dogma and superstition will always lose out to science and enlightenment.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes
From the first of this month, a new Irish blasphemy law became operational, and a campaign has begun to have it repealed.
Blasphemy is now a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine.
The new law defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion.
Blasphemy laws are unjust... in a civilised society, people have a right to to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous.
Thankfully, in March 2008, the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel was abolished in England and Wales.
However, the struggle for enlightenment continues with the forces of regression and repression ever striking back forcefully.
In this I believe we must support our friends across the Irish Sea.
I would urge everyone to have a look at this site (http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes).
Blasphemy is now a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine.
The new law defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion.
Blasphemy laws are unjust... in a civilised society, people have a right to to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous.
Thankfully, in March 2008, the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel was abolished in England and Wales.
However, the struggle for enlightenment continues with the forces of regression and repression ever striking back forcefully.
In this I believe we must support our friends across the Irish Sea.
I would urge everyone to have a look at this site (http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes).
Friday, 11 December 2009
Tory claims on Islamic school thrown out
David Cameron's ludicrous and unfounded allegations that a school was linked to Islamic extremism has been dismissed out of hand today by authorities.
I am a child of the Enlightenment and great believer in the separation of church and state, and consequently do not think there should be faith schools within the public sector.
Indeed, I moved a motion at Lib Dem conference last Spring, calling for their eventual phasing out.
However, having said that I do think that while they exist, ALL faith schools should be treated equally.
I thought that it was a cheap political shot by the Tories and an example of their racist dog-whistle appeal to Islamophobic sentiments in sections of the downmarket press to link extremism to this school.
Haringey Council has found no evidence of "inappropriate content or influence" in the school. In fact the school tries to ensure that pupils learn about different cultures and traditions, including joint work with a local CofE school.
The Tories have now got enough egg on their face to make the biggest of omelettes, I just hope that they have enough humility to apologise.
I am a child of the Enlightenment and great believer in the separation of church and state, and consequently do not think there should be faith schools within the public sector.
Indeed, I moved a motion at Lib Dem conference last Spring, calling for their eventual phasing out.
However, having said that I do think that while they exist, ALL faith schools should be treated equally.
I thought that it was a cheap political shot by the Tories and an example of their racist dog-whistle appeal to Islamophobic sentiments in sections of the downmarket press to link extremism to this school.
Haringey Council has found no evidence of "inappropriate content or influence" in the school. In fact the school tries to ensure that pupils learn about different cultures and traditions, including joint work with a local CofE school.
The Tories have now got enough egg on their face to make the biggest of omelettes, I just hope that they have enough humility to apologise.
Saturday, 1 August 2009
White Rabbits
Does anyone say that anymore? White rabbits on the first of the month?
I love August there are so many anniversaries to remember and commemorate, one in particular is that in 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella drove the Jews out of Spain, which I would argue was to be disastrous in the long-term for Spain, but enriched the rest of Europe by providing an educated and cosmopolitan group of people to help the spread of the Renaissance and eventually the Enlightenment.
I love August there are so many anniversaries to remember and commemorate, one in particular is that in 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella drove the Jews out of Spain, which I would argue was to be disastrous in the long-term for Spain, but enriched the rest of Europe by providing an educated and cosmopolitan group of people to help the spread of the Renaissance and eventually the Enlightenment.
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