The Soul Podcast - Tools  For  a  Joyful  Life

History of the Soul – Entering the Enlightenment


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It was a time of massive change in Europe. In the 1700s the Renaissance was coming to a close the Age of Enlightenment was beginning. And one aspect of the age of enlightenment was open skepticism. People started to drop any sort of blind faith they may have once had, and they questioned authority more openly and with more intensity. They started looking for truth and proof, before granting belief. This was partly due to hundreds of years of abuse by the Catholic church. 

This skepticism overflowed into the spiritual beliefs of people. And the way people wrote -and talked- about the Soul began to change. Martin Luther made a bold move, which launched a massive movement across Europe and further. Freedom of religion was becoming a rallying cry... and people we're taking back the ownership of their spiritual work. 



SHOW NOTES

Corrections: 

For several episodes I’ve mentioned Angelus Silesius -and I have been mis-pronouncing his name. In this and future episodes I will do my best to pronounce it properly. 

Reading Recommendations:

Spinoza: Practical Philosophy –by Gilles Deleuze

Age of Enlightenment: A Captivating Guide to the Age of Reason..

Quotes:

“The more you struggle to live, the less you live. Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure...” ― Spinoza

“I believe in Spinoza's god, who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world, not in a god who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind.” – Einstein

“The more you struggle to live, the less you live. Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure...” ― Spinoza

"All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” - John Locke

"I believe the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy." -Thomas Paine

"Surely something resides in this heart that is not perishable, and life is more than a dream." -Mary Wollstonecraft

 “Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” - Alexander Pope

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” - Thomas Paine

“A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.” - David Hume 

“All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding,  and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.” - Emmanuel Kant

“Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy.” - Denis Diderot

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The Soul Podcast - Tools  For  a  Joyful  LifeBy Stacey Wheeler