Here are two extracts [1] [2] from Francis Wheen’s new book How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World. And here are two paragraphs from the first extract…
“In September 1784 a Berlin magazine invited Immanuel Kant to answer the question: What is Enlightenment? ‘Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-incurred immaturity,’ he replied. ‘Immaturity is the inability to use one’s own understanding without direction from another. This immaturity is self-incurred if its cause is not lack of understanding, but lack of resolve and courage to use it without another’s guidance. Dare to know! That is the motto of Enlightenment.’
“The Enlightenment had many critics, but its illuminating influence and achievements were apparent in the history of the next two centuries – the waning of absolutism and superstition, the rise of secular democracy, the understanding of the natural world, the transformation of historical and scientific study, the new political resonance of notions such as “progress”, “rights” and “freedom”. Does that light still shine today? According to the philosopher Roger Scruton, “Reason is now on the retreat, both as an ideal and as a reality.” The leaders of the counter-revolution may seem an incongruous coalition – post-modernists and primitivists, New Age and Old Testament – but they have been remarkably effective over the past quarter-century. Those who lack the courage to use their understanding “without direction from another” are easy prey for self-styled gurus, and the sleep of reason has duly brought forth many such monsters, exploiting and expanding the demand for mumbo-jumbo.”
… a delightful and frightening calling of bullshit where bullshit is in need of a calling.
