The French Enlightenment was a time of upheaval, and its main philosophers espoused ideas that challenged the traditional social and religious order. To unpack that concept, we'll explore the following questions:

1. How does Voltaire's perspective on human redemption reflect Enlightenment philosophy?
2. Why did Diderot expect his encyclopedia to be criticized?
3. How does the Marquis de Condorcet help secularize the Augustinian view of history?

This week's episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Andrew and Amanda Gold for Dr. Abraham Unger and Emet Classical Academy. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.

Richardson, Fielding, and Sterne can be considered responsible for the novel as we recognize it today. On today's episode, we'll uncover answers to the following questions:

1. How does Samuel Richardson's Pamela try to bridge the gap between human reason and sentiment?
2. In what way does Henry Fielding's use of satire help portray the inherent goodness in people?
3. How does Laurence Sterne convey the richness of life through the absurdities that he portrays in Tristram Shandy?

This episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.

The first real criticism of the Enlightenment can be found in Jonathan Swift's satirical novel Gulliver's Travels. While we survey the book, we'll address the following questions:

1. How does Swift's emphasis on human character critique the Enlightenment notion of homo universalis?
2. In what way does Gulliver's Travels argue that man is not nearly as rational as Enlightenment philosophers have presumed him to be?
3. Why does Swift seem to reject the concept of striving for immortality?

Recommended Reading: Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. 1726. Reprint, England: Oxford University Press, 2008.

This episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.

Daniel Defoe's Enlightenment experiment continues in the second half of Robinson Crusoe. As we continue our survey, we'll answer the following questions:

1. How does the novel reflect the Enlightenment view of progress as vital for the development of human civilization?
2. Why is there a notable lack of women throughout Robinson Crusoe?
3. In what sense can the novel be considered an updated, Enlightenment version of the Christian story of the prodigal son?

Recommended Reading: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. 1719. Reprint, New York: Modern Library, 2001.

This week's episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.

Daniel Defoe will put Enlightenment thought to the test in his novel Robinson Crusoe. To help us explore the book, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions:

1. How does Robinson Crusoe develop a rational response to the question of how man should respond to suffering?
2. Why do Crusoe's labors on his island occupy a central role in the narrative?
3. In what sense can Crusoe's religious experience in the novel be considered Jewish-inspired?

Recommended Reading: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. 1719. Reprint, New York: Modern Library, 2001.

John Locke will take a different approach to society and government than Hobbes, one which will eventually be very important to the United States. As we dive deeper into the topic, we'll address the following questions:

1. How does Locke's perspective on the state of nature inform his divergence from Hobbes in their respective views on sovereignty?
2. How does Locke come to the conclusion that the individual has natural rights?
3. According to Locke, why is absolute monarchy an illegitimate form of government?

Recommended Reading: Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. 1689.

Thomas Hobbes will redefine the way we understand both government and society. Today, Rabbi Rocklin will help us answer the following questions:

1. Why did Hobbes dispense with the Medieval notion of customary rights?
2. According to Hobbes, why is the role of the sovereign to ensure the security of the people?
3. In was sense did Hobbes break from the ancient understanding that government was natural and dedicated to the flourishing of man?

Recommended Reading: Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. 1651.

As the Enlightenment expanded to different areas of Europe, thinkers continued to focus on the liberty of the individual. As we continue our exploration of this era, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions:

1. Why was John Locke's view on property important in the development of the Enlightenment?
2. How did Enlightenment philosophy create conditions for Jews to be able to assimilate into society?
3. In what ways did Rousseau begin to break away from the Enlightenment?