Is the division in our political system an extension of the Enlightenment?

Question

We find ourselves again with the age old battle of science (global warming, stem-cell research ... you could even throw abortion in the mix if you consider it a debate about the definition of life) against religion and "morality".

Answer 1

actually, it's more like the opposite... coming out of an age of reason instead of entering into one.

Answer 2

I understand exactly what you are saying. However, there are quite a few caviates to any answer I give you. Religion has become corporate, at least the Falwell, Robertson, Dobson and Haggard and the big mega-church types. They are Charletons and more dangerous, I'm afraid since they are gaining access to our government. They are corporations as well. Second, science has also been co-opted by corporations with pharmecueticals and oil corporations and the military profiteers (Raytheon, JPL, etc.) employing most of our scientists today who contradict even the most enlightened scientific and philosophical sound science that is out there. For example, all the scientists who are paid by the oil industry and who reap profits from the oil industry are saying that global warming is not caused by Human action.
So, it goes beyond the philosophy of the Enlightenment vs. Religion again. It's the Enlightenment vs. Corporate Capitalism & Religion.
THere's a great book to read, that I highly recommend about this subject. "Re Enchantment of the World" by Morris Berman. The author goes into great depth about the break between Religion and Science and the economies during the time of the break during the Renaissance. He also gets into the philosophy of modern Science and ancient Alchemy and the church. He gets into Newton, Galileo and how they came about. He also talks about how Economics played a role in this break and the schism between science and a new world view leading to the enlightenment vs religion.You'll love the book. It's a fascinating history of science and religion read and very very informative.
As far as science being at odds with religion, I don't find that science is at odds with my Christian religion. I'm not against stem cell research of any kind. I do believe science has created many great things, cures and advancement in humanity. But it has created horrible things such as biological weapons, nukes and horrible horrible things for torture which I find much more of an insult to humanity, the words of christ and my religion.

Answer 3

Morality speaks of a system of behavior in regards to standards of right or wrong behavior. The word carries the concepts of: (1) moral standards, with regard to behavior; (2) moral responsibility, referring to our conscience; and (3) a moral identity, or one who is capable of right or wrong action. Common synonyms include ethics, principles, virtue, and goodness. Morality has become a complicated issue in the multi-cultural world we live in today. Let's explore what morality is, how it affects our behavior, our conscience, our society, and our ultimate destiny.

Morality describes the principles that govern our behavior. Without these principles in place, societies cannot survive for long. In today's world, morality is frequently thought of as belonging to a particular religious point of view, but by definition, we see that this is not the case. Everyone adheres to a moral doctrine of some kind.

There is a name for a country where there is no security, freedom, or justice, and where criminality is woven into the fabric of everyday life: moral nihilism. Not only it is not clear who the good guys and the bad guys are. It is no longer clear that there is any pervasive belief that there are such things as good guys and bad guys.

The moral categories that make civilized life possible have disintegrated. The most conspicuous evidence is that the self-proclaimed liberators turn out to be oppressors. The ruling elite that claims to represent the Iraqi people are being kept in power by the mortal enemy of the Iraqi people. Those who are charged with protecting the people are as likely as anyone else to be responsible for looting and killing the people.

If the Devil had an evangelist, its name would be war. War promotes the view that only suckers fall for moral precepts, that human life is neither here nor there, that private property is nothing more than what you can grab and keep. This is what makes the claim so absurd that the US invaded in order to bring about freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The war taught the advantages of all the opposite values. The Iraqis have been fine students of the moral nihilism unleashed by the US government's war on Iraq.

A Nihilist is one who bows to no authority and accepts no doctrine, however widespread, that is not supported by proof. Nihilism is the refutation of faith, the refutation of morality, the refutation of teleology, the criticism of values, an extreme form of skepticism reductionism, taking nothing as a 'granted', that nothing is sacred, and the realization that destruction of existing social and political institutions is an imperative necessity.

Furthermore, a Nihilist strives to understand purpose and human nature within objective context, support free minds and free thought, and to vitiate all authority that demands allegiance to a faith or ideology and that punishes challenges to that belief.

Many ask 'what are the benefits of nihilism, what do I get out of it'? 'Isn't it all just darkness and futility'? Hardly! Catch a glimpse, imbibe the nihilistic vision! Although these images and ideas may seem anachronistic, their power and significance should not be underestimated. It's about a chance to begin again without the shackles of history and the burden of accumulated lies and myths. A new world where you matter because of what you are and what you can do not where you are or what you own. The vision is crucial because one can't conquer the flaws of the present without first imagining the form of the future

The nihilistic vision is a positive result extracted from a negative event. This vision is very much an apocalypse but only for those that have had their chance and ruined it for everyone, the failing, ruling-elite. Yet for everyone else interested in health and renewal it is a brilliant new dawn. This momentous change is of the near future, looming and portentous angry and promising like a storm on the horizon. People fear the consequences but the shrewd revel in the bountiful opportunities bestowed by the aftermath for the best time to rebuild is after the storm. For those who heed - prepare for the beginning, it's closer than you think.

Answer 4

'Age old battle of science against religion and.. . . MORALITY' ?

Science is battling morality ?

Extension of Enlightenment ? WTF

I'm sorry, I look at the world in a WHOLE different way .

Answer 5

no, not at all, that may be a liberals perspective, but not everyones. I still am having a hard time believing global warming is all man's fault and what not. stem cells, possibly, and i still don't think anyone on this planet has correctly defined the word "life"

Answer 6

The scientific revolution has continuously and consistently chopped the basis of religion away. Fundies view this as an attack on their beliefs, and it is, in a diagonal sort of way. They fight it, but by doing so they highlight the weaknesses in their argument. They are fighting a losing battle.

Answer 7

For the citizen I would say mostly yes. For the politician I would say no. Division is what they want. Its a tool.