18th century Quote by M. H. Abrams
“The theories of the major philosophers of the 18th century secular enlightenment were biblical and theological in spite of themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Mirror and the Lamp by M. H. Abrams, 1953
Enlightenment philosophers, despite championing reason, often relied on biblical language and theological concepts unintentionally.
In simple terms: Even rational thinkers used religious ideas without meaning to.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden biases in intellectual traditions.
Themes
philosophy
enlightenment
religion
bias
history
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
academic
critical
When to use this quote
- academic lectures
- historical analysis
- teaching philosophy
- public debates
Key Concepts
secularism
theology
intellectual history
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern scholars uncover hidden assumptions?
- Can secular ideas be truly free of religious roots?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overgeneralize; not all philosophers were influenced by theology.
![“I shou'd not myself have thought [Cato] worth so much notice as I have here taken of him; but that the Men are weak enough in general, to suffer their sense to be led away captive, by such half-thinking retailers of sentences. Among whom, This in particular, was he worth the pains, might be easily…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/592/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_i-shou-d-not-myself-have-thought-cato-wo_183319.jpg)
![“By 18th century standards, they [Great Britain] were the freest, most dynamic, most willing to challenge tradition and authority. They had the highest wages and highest living standard, and probably the most engagement between the populace and the government of any country. Then the United States…” quote by Charles R. Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca2/charles-r-morris-19787_18th-century_by-18th-century-standards-they-great-bri_49883.jpg)
![“And the differences thence arising [between the constitution of men and women] are no ways sufficient to argue more natural strength in the one than in the other, to qualify them more for military labours. Are not the Women of different degrees of strength, like the Men? Are there not strong and…” quote by Lady Sophia Fermor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2bf/lady-sophia-fermor-20567_18th-century_and-the-differences-thence-arising-betwe_38711.jpg)
