Blue Collar Philosopher: The Renaissance, Reformation and Age of Reason

It has been a long time since the world experienced a transition like we see today. Every generation faces change, but few experience sweeping transition. Our turmoil feels unprecedented and disorienting. But history bears a record of another period that shines light onto today’s events.

History can guide us.

Enlightenment-era philosopher David Hume said, "Pretexts and appearances no longer deceive us … mankind are so much the same, in all times and places that history informs us of nothing new or strange …" Writer Henry St. John, of the same era said, "History is philosophy teaching us by examples … we must … reflect and meditate on the characters we find described, and the course of events we find related there."

Yes, history is our guide.

Historical precedent of our world is in the wake of Gutenberg's printing press, roughly the years 1500-1800 AD. Societies abruptly changed directions in the periods we call the Renaissance, Reformation and Age of Reason, also called the Enlightenment. Ideas that had been impotent due to isolation became prolific with the rise of movable type. Historian Elizabeth Eisenstein called the advent of printing "a communication revolution." American writer Nicolo Mele calls today's internet "radical connectivity."

Connectivity spread ideas across Europe, uniting people that were ready to act. It was a revolution of innovation, invention and upheaval. Ideas assaulted ordered institutions; monarchs fell, wealth shifted, religious order shook. Embedded institutions crumbled before the wave of released and realized human energy.

Thinkers like Francis Bacon and Isaac Newton established a new basis for understanding our world through reason and process. The scientific method replaced superstitions and technology became the Industrial Revolution.

The medieval economy measured national wealth by the amount of money in the king’s treasury. Medieval economic models were based on limited commerce, tightly controlled by established guilds. Moral philosopher Adam Smith’s seminal work, "The Wealth of Nations," created the basis for a capitalist economy with the idea that a free market would generate wealth and well-being for many individuals as well as for the nation. Laissez-faire capitalism would raise standards of living for the masses.

Indentured serfs moved from servitude to cities brimming with jobs and new opportunities. A middle-class emerged and people who were recently poor became wealthy. The nobility struggled to accept this "new money" as their influence and power waned.

Ideas of government confronted monarchs and the entrenched belief of divine right to rule. Self-determining government installed laws and human rights. The idea that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights swept away eons of aristocratic rule by edict and decree. The rule of law replaced the rule of man.

Corruption in the Catholic Church had been rampant for years as isolated voices called for reform. Martin Luther, an obscure professor of theology posted 95 theses, or arguments, on a church door with the intent of sparking debate. Luther’s original intent was to restore the Church from within, not to break away. But a group of like-minded monks printed and distributed the arguments. They found an eager audience and the Protestant Church emerged.

What does it mean to be born into a time whose only precedents are the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Age of Reason? None of us asked to be born into such a time, but here we are. We feel our foundations shift under feet.

Today, fearful and divisive voices control the narrative and would move us to extremes and divide us. But with understanding, awareness and a bearing on what is possible, courageous creators can emerge. We can nurture and guide our society through these turbulent times into a sustainable, reasoned and cooperative future.

History tells us change is not stoppable; but how do we respond? We can form a paradigm shift, accept and understand the forces at work. Find common cause with your neighbor in our free society, stay united. Nurture and share your culture and embrace that of your neighbor.

Participate in a world shaped by purpose and reason, not conflict. Shore up your internal foundations with courage. Get educated, stop blaming others, and become an active citizen in your community.

We live in our very own communication revolution and radical connectivity. Age of Reason philosopher Immanuel Kant said, "Sapere aude," a Latin phrase that means dare to know, have the courage to use your reason – the motto of the Enlightenment. He would tell us to break away from the divisive chatter of the pundits and the politicians. Something good is going to happen, something better is possible. Now we know; what will we do?

Lance Sumpter is a local writer, veteran and refugee of The Great Recession. He can be contacted at lsumpter00@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: The Renaissance, Reformation and Age of Reason