What is Enlightened Reason?
Enlightened Reason is intellectual insight through clear and critical reasoning. It is simply clear thinking and sound judgment unimpeded by dogmatic beliefs and quaint superstitions. Enlightened Reason can be viewed as a more wakeful state of consciousness that allows us to remain mindfully aware of the objective reality we inhabit. Enlightened Reason also embraces the inalienable ideals and movements that began in the 18th century and continue to this day--ideals such as freedom and democracy, human rights and equality, the progress of science, and ethics based on these values rather than religiously imposed morality.
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Is this Philosophy of Enlightened Reason a New Age thing?
No. It is often a knee-jerk reaction to label any non-traditional philosophy conceived in modern times as "New Age", but it is not an accurate label for Enlightened Reason. Being considerably broad, the New Age movement is very difficult to define, but common to most forms of New Age spirituality are a belief in paranormal, mystical, or supernatural phenomenon, such as crystal power, lay lines, spiritual beings, and astrology, without providing sufficient empirical evidence. Enlightened Reason advances nothing paranormal or supernatural. The philosophy of Enlightened Reason does, however, support ecological awareness and so-called "Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability", as well as meditation for mental exercise and well-being, which, while not New Age in and of themselves, are shared by many who follow New Age beliefs.
Is Enlightened Reason like Atheism or Secular Humanism?
In some respect, Enlightened Reason is inherently atheistic in rejecting that any supernatural deities exist, but in another respect Enlightened Reason cannot ultimately disregard the possible existance of "god-like" intelligences that exist beyond our current understanding. The philosophy of Enlightened Reason embraces many of the same concepts and philosophies as Secular Humanism, and thus you may consider it to be a variant of Secular Humanism.
What philosophies are valued by Enlightened Reason?
The philosophy of Enlightened Reason encourages the study of Classical philosophies such as those of Plato, Aristotle, and the Neoplatonists, not only for the intellectual pursuit of knowledge, but also to gain a valuable perspective into the Golden Age of Philosophy. The philosophy of the Stoics is also held in high regard, especially the Meditations of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The most valued aspects of these philosophies, above all other considerations, is that they actually force one to think, even if (or especially if) you disagree with certain points.
The philosophies that emerged during the Age of Enlightenment are no less valuable as well. The writings of Spinoza, Voltaire, Hume, Kant, and even Benjamin Franklin, have come to shape our modern perspective on the value of reason and critical thinking. In the 20th and 21st century, these Enlightenment era philosophies continued to evolve through the various inter-related schools of rationalism, empiricism, objectivism, instrumentalism, pragmatism, and the philosophy of science itself.
What are the Apothegms of Enlightenment?
The 22 Apothegms of Enlightenment are a series of apothegms, or "instructive sayings", that embody tenets of Enlightened Reason. The Apothegms should therefore be observed with mindful consideration by anyone seeking to lead a more intellectually enlightened way of life.
What is Apollonian Spirituality?
Apollonian spirituality, or Apollonianism, is a modern religion incorporating the principles of Enlightened Reason as its very foundation. Rather than requiring a strict adherence to prophetic revelations, rigid dogma, or supernatural causation as most religions do, Apollonianism emphasizes science and reason as the keys to intellectual enlightenment. Reason, logic, and creativity must be cultivated if we are to progress as a technologically advanced species, while ethical behavior must be driven by the necessity to serve the greatest good and to mitigate suffering, and not by some vague supernatural will or the threat of divine retribution. And yet, without some form of spirituality, we are left empty and cold. Perhaps human beings simply need something to believe in, and to that end Apollonianism suggests we should believe in the truth of science, in the greatness of the Cosmos, and in the principles of knowledge, wisdom, reason, moderation, courage, justice, and ethics.
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