On Enlightenment

Philosopher David Stove examines the intellectual foundations of the Enlightenment, aiming to show where its achievements stop and where its failures are most likely. He does not dismiss the movement's contributions. He defends reason and rational inquiry, holds that religious claims are false, and upholds individual liberty.

What Stove objects to is the Enlightenment's unchecked confidence that society will keep improving and its readiness to embrace revolutionary upheaval. He favors a cautious, conservative approach to change. Modern social systems are so vast and intricate, he argues, that broad reforms bring countless consequences nobody can foresee. Welfare programs might weaken personal initiative, pesticides could boost food production while contaminating water supplies, and widening access to university might lower academic standards.

Because government holds an almost exclusive power to carry out large-scale change, Stove concludes that its authority must be restrained to prevent serious harm. Where reform is warranted at all, he contends it should be realistic, local, necessary, and never coercive.