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Hailed as the finest single-volume examination of the Enlightenment, this work delves into a period that, despite its profound impact on Western history, remains a subject of debate more than three centuries after its inception. The Enlightenment is often lauded as the wellspring of modern ideals, including human rights, religious tolerance, intellectual freedom, scientific reasoning, and evidence-based discourse. However, critics argue that it promotes a narrow scientific rationality that fails to grasp human complexity, encourages superficial atheism, and seeks to dominate nature in the name of progress.
In response to Kant's challenge for individuals to 'have the courage to use your own understanding', Robertson demonstrates how Enlightenment thinkers did precisely that. They sought a comprehensive understanding of humanity that balanced reason with emotion and sensibility. By returning to original texts, Robertson unveils the Enlightenment's primary objective: to enhance human happiness in the present world through the promotion of scientific inquiry and reasoned argument.
This masterful exploration of a foundational epoch in modern times challenges numerous preconceptions. For instance, it reveals that the Enlightenment did not necessarily oppose religion, though it did question traditional ecclesiastical authority. Robertson's work serves as a brilliant example of 'big picture' history, offering a nuanced and compelling portrait of the pursuit of happiness from 1680 to 1790.
Book ISBN: | 9780141979403 |
Book Author: | Ritchie Robertson |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Book Publisher: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Book Dimensions: | 129 x 197 x 53 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2022-04-28 |
Book Pagination: | 1008 pages, 24pp b/w or colour |
Book Weight: | 684g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’