To Light the Flame of Reason: Clear Thinking for the Twenty-First Century

To Light the Flame of Reason is a book about the art of clear thinking and how it can be used to navigate the world filled with populist dogmas, anti-science attitudes, and pseudo-philosophy. It offers a set of simple tools for clear thinking and a deeper understanding of science, truth, naturalism, and morality. It also offers insights into the problems of extremism and fundamentalism and suggests how the world can move towards a new enlightenment. The book argues that we need to reawaken the basic values and ideals that defined the original age of enlightenment and that ethical questions should be detached from religion. It promotes the power of free thought and the scientific method of careful and open-minded testing as key tools for understanding the natural world. The book appeals to adults who are trying to figure out how to deal with the ever-increasing daily bombardment of conflicting messages and to teenagers and university students who are struggling to find a believable and reliable philosophy of life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2022
Publisher: Prometheus Books

The book "To Light the Flame of Reason" delves into the art of clear thinking, a crucial skill in today's world. Written by authors Christer Sturmark and Douglas Hofstadter, it aims to provide a guide for navigating through populist dogmas, anti-science attitudes, and pseudo-philosophy. The book offers a set of simple tools for clear thinking, as well as a deeper understanding of science, truth, naturalism, and morality. It also sheds light on the issues of extremism and fundamentalism and provides suggestions for moving towards a new enlightenment.

The book argues that we need to rekindle the fundamental values and ideals that characterized the original age of enlightenment. It emphasizes the idea that the world we inhabit is part of nature, devoid of supernatural or magical forces. Ethical questions should be detached from religion, allowing for a more objective and rational approach. This form of secular humanism builds on the power of free thought, enabling individuals to investigate and understand the natural world. While not everything can be investigated or understood, the sincere quest for knowledge and understanding fosters a flexible and nondogmatic attitude toward the world. Curiosity and openness are at the core of this approach.

The scientific method, characterized by careful and open-minded testing, and the creative and reflective ways of thinking in science, provide essential tools for clear, science-inspired thinking. This thinking helps us understand that a person can be good and motivated to carry out morally good actions without necessarily being bound by religious beliefs or suppositions.

In conclusion, "To Light the Flame of Reason" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of today's world and cultivate clear thinking. By reawakening the fundamental values of the original age of enlightenment, embracing secular humanism, and employing scientific methods, we can develop a more informed and rational perspective on the world. This can lead to a more peaceful and harmonious society, where individuals are free to pursue their beliefs and values without fear or constraint.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 238 x 165 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633887749