*cracks knuckles* It's been quite some time since I have blogged...well...anything. I decided to make a database of interesting philosophical debate, advances in modern science, tobacciana, and wine. Although these things seem, and may very well be, boring...I have found them to be the reliquary of a personal happiness. So onward we go!
I picked up a small book today entitled, "An Adventure in Ideas, Philosophy for Pleasure" by Hector Hawton. The initial appearance is what drew it into my clutches, and the title is what kept it there. Philosophy for Pleasure may sound to some very masochistic; however, this book is filled with well worded, condensed versions of many of the popular philosophical debates, and a clear-headed analysis that is simply amazing. Hawton has a chapter in the book called "The Rape of Reason" It describes the profound social changes that took place in the 16th and 17th century, and how civilization as a whole had opened up. The mediteranean was no longer the center of civilization, America had been discovered, and India was expanding at alarming rates. "The struggle for material power underlay a religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and even between rival protestant groups."
At this time philosophy had to be very carefully purveyed because of its' almost conspiracy like appearance and severe punishments that accompanied such thoughts. My question is....Do you think the "rape of reason" is comparable to modern science today? Many people ignore scientiffic fact for very similar reasons. i.e. The Catholic church ignored the idea of a heliocentric universe until it was completely impossible to reject. So light up that latkia and let me know what you think.
