Enlightened Chains, pg. 11
carried through in his personal life. He could not subsume his learning into a defense of church doctrine, and instead turned it to helping mankind in another manner entirely - one which allowed him to use his intellectual faculties and still hold some spiritual faith for that unknown part of the universe that reason could not touch.
As well, the Glorious Revolution and Restoration had shown a monarchy could be ended without bringing down the divine wrath of God and that it could be restored while creating a separation of Church and State. From Locke’s point of view, this gave a man better control over his life and property - something he called freedom. He then used his intellect and his faith to build a philosophy that was built on toleration of differences and the use of government to enforce that toleration.
It was in Germany that faith and reason had its most seamless marriage. In the court of Frederick II of Prussia, reason and faith mingled fairly easily. Under the religiously tolerant rule in Prussia, such writers as Kant, Mendelssohn, and Lessing were able to gain popularity. Mendelssohn, in particular, found high favor and was named the official philosopher of Frederick’s court.
As with all other figures to this point, it is also important to understand the culture within which the men labored. Tolerance was extended to many sets of religious beliefs, but an antipathy existed towards atheists. Since the writings of Spinoza were so contrary to a direct reading of religious texts, the “atheist” title was broadened to those who pursued his specific vein of thought. Thus, tolerance led to a stricter tying of religion and reason than in the countries where less tolerance was extended.
This does not mean that these men did not cause a stir in religious circles. Mendelssohn, for instance, was criticized for translating the Hebrew Torah into German
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As well, the Glorious Revolution and Restoration had shown a monarchy could be ended without bringing down the divine wrath of God and that it could be restored while creating a separation of Church and State. From Locke’s point of view, this gave a man better control over his life and property - something he called freedom. He then used his intellect and his faith to build a philosophy that was built on toleration of differences and the use of government to enforce that toleration.
It was in Germany that faith and reason had its most seamless marriage. In the court of Frederick II of Prussia, reason and faith mingled fairly easily. Under the religiously tolerant rule in Prussia, such writers as Kant, Mendelssohn, and Lessing were able to gain popularity. Mendelssohn, in particular, found high favor and was named the official philosopher of Frederick’s court.
As with all other figures to this point, it is also important to understand the culture within which the men labored. Tolerance was extended to many sets of religious beliefs, but an antipathy existed towards atheists. Since the writings of Spinoza were so contrary to a direct reading of religious texts, the “atheist” title was broadened to those who pursued his specific vein of thought. Thus, tolerance led to a stricter tying of religion and reason than in the countries where less tolerance was extended.
This does not mean that these men did not cause a stir in religious circles. Mendelssohn, for instance, was criticized for translating the Hebrew Torah into German
Next Page
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