Chapter 7, pp only Review of Enlightenment and the Roots of Counter-Enlightenment Ideologies (pp only)

Review: Main Premises of the Enlightenment Humanism – Belief in the emancipated individual as a meaningful end in and of him or her self and as chief agent of change.Humanism – Belief in the emancipated individual as a meaningful end in and of him or her self and as chief agent of change. Rationalism – Individuals are capable of reason. Epistemological observation and critical argument is the basis for knowledge and understanding.Rationalism – Individuals are capable of reason. Epistemological observation and critical argument is the basis for knowledge and understanding. Progressivism – Belief in progress and the ability of rational agents to improve the world.Progressivism – Belief in progress and the ability of rational agents to improve the world. Universalism – Belief in a universal truth that acts as a foundation for human identity.Universalism – Belief in a universal truth that acts as a foundation for human identity. Universal capacity for reason, empathy, or self expressionUniversal capacity for reason, empathy, or self expression Perhaps a “universal morality”Perhaps a “universal morality”

Secularism An evolved historical “arrangement” that allowed for the separation of religious practice/belief and political practice/belief.An evolved historical “arrangement” that allowed for the separation of religious practice/belief and political practice/belief. –Specific aspect of modernity unique to Western thought –Separation of faith from politics & law is not consistent with Islam. Islamic Law -- derived from the Qur’an and Sunna -- is the basis for political life.Islamic Law -- derived from the Qur’an and Sunna -- is the basis for political life.

Examples of Counter-Enlightenment Thought We first saw this in Joseph de Maistre’s Reactionary Ideology (1796)We first saw this in Joseph de Maistre’s Reactionary Ideology (1796) Lead to Fascism, Nazism, & Neo-FascismLead to Fascism, Nazism, & Neo-Fascism 1800s: Rise of Anti-Semitism & anti-cosmopolitan ideas1800s: Rise of Anti-Semitism & anti-cosmopolitan ideas 1920s-40s: Italian Fascism1920s-40s: Italian Fascism 1930s: Franco’s Spain, Germany under Hitler1930s: Franco’s Spain, Germany under Hitler 1970s & after: Neo-fascist, anti-immigrant, & skinhead movements1970s & after: Neo-fascist, anti-immigrant, & skinhead movements Radical Political IslamRadical Political Islam Sayyid Qutb, founder of Muslim Brotherhood in 1940sSayyid Qutb, founder of Muslim Brotherhood in 1940s