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A review by dngoldman
Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic by Matthew Stewart
4.0
Stewart's book is a fascinating mix of the history, political theory, religion, and philosophy. His main point is that many of the important founders (Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, Allen, Paine) were "radical Diest" - something is much closer to atheism (or at a minimum Universalism) than traditional christian religions. This philosophy deeply influenced the political structure of our early American republic which included the aim to protect the US from the influence of more traditional religious beliefs. Among his main points
- The founders' philosophy has a straight line connection Spinoza and Epicurus, who's influence on Locke is usually underplayed. This philosophy sees God as essentially equivalent to the laws of nature, with no active role to play in human affairs. His chapter on Epicurus is excellent and well worth reading on it's own.
- As such, once those laws of nature are established, human reason can be used to figure out the rest.
- Stewart provides the Spinoza/Epicurus roots of many of the self evident trues and concepts such as the pursuit of happiness (which can be done only through living a virtuous life, which can be found through reason).
- Often the founders' language sounds religious. This is basically a function of different language of the time (e.g. Nature's god was a clear reference to a pantheistic god, not the judo/Christian one, but if sounds very religious today ) and the skill of founders' of avoiding direct chritism from more traditional religionists . According to Stewart, these writings were seen at the times as heretical, atheistic by the religious community.
- Traditional religion does a have role - to help the undeducted masses live a more life. But the founders saw traditional religion as basically a tool, not something true in itself.
The book does have some important weaknesses. Stewart focuses on a handful of founders (Jefferson, Franklin, Allen, Paine). While very important, there were other key players, and it leaves open the question about the intent of founders as a whole. Also the chapters often seem repetitive and disorganized.
Overall the book is a fascinating read for those who like the intersection of ideas and history.
- The founders' philosophy has a straight line connection Spinoza and Epicurus, who's influence on Locke is usually underplayed. This philosophy sees God as essentially equivalent to the laws of nature, with no active role to play in human affairs. His chapter on Epicurus is excellent and well worth reading on it's own.
- As such, once those laws of nature are established, human reason can be used to figure out the rest.
- Stewart provides the Spinoza/Epicurus roots of many of the self evident trues and concepts such as the pursuit of happiness (which can be done only through living a virtuous life, which can be found through reason).
- Often the founders' language sounds religious. This is basically a function of different language of the time (e.g. Nature's god was a clear reference to a pantheistic god, not the judo/Christian one, but if sounds very religious today ) and the skill of founders' of avoiding direct chritism from more traditional religionists . According to Stewart, these writings were seen at the times as heretical, atheistic by the religious community.
- Traditional religion does a have role - to help the undeducted masses live a more life. But the founders saw traditional religion as basically a tool, not something true in itself.
The book does have some important weaknesses. Stewart focuses on a handful of founders (Jefferson, Franklin, Allen, Paine). While very important, there were other key players, and it leaves open the question about the intent of founders as a whole. Also the chapters often seem repetitive and disorganized.
Overall the book is a fascinating read for those who like the intersection of ideas and history.