A Discourse Of Free-Thinking: Occasion'D By The Rise And Growth Of A Sect Call'D Free-Thinkers - Softcover

Anthony Collins

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0461336898 ISBN 13: 9780461336894

Publisher: HardPress, 2019

Synopsis

"A Discourse Of Free-Thinking,: Occasion'D By The Rise And Growth Of A Sect Call'D Free-Thinkers" by Anthony Collins. This work defends the liberty to think and to inquire, arguing that knowledge of truth rests on reason and evidence. Collins defines Free-Thinking as the use of understanding to determine the meaning of any proposition by weighing the force of the evidence. He argues that right to know entails right to think freely, and that progress in arts, sciences, and moral understanding comes from free examination rather than authorities. The text critiques attempts to suppress inquiry through eye-sight faith and appeals to tradition, miracles, and church authority, offering historical and literary examples to illustrate how superstition arises from constrained thought. He contends that all human knowledge depends on the law of nature and cross-disciplinary understanding, and that dogmatic restraint leads to absurdities and misbeliefs. Overall, the discourse advocates intellectual liberty as foundational to civilization and the advancement of truth.

Edition details

• Publisher: HardPress
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0461336898
• ISBN 13: 9780461336894
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 38