It seems to be the expectation (or at least hope) of the new atheists that an age of reason be ushered into existence. An age in which religious and other superstitious beliefs are sidelined into irrelevance by a near universal acceptance that rationality, reason and evidence based inquiry hold the key to human advancement and progress.
But things are not going to plan. Human society is facing an epidemic of superstition that impoverishes our culture. Religious fundamentalism is increasing around the world and even in those societies where organised religion is fading new-age-style gurus and paranormal beliefs are highly prevalent. Beliefs (astrology, crystal healing, personal auras, psychic perception, alien abduction etc. etc.) which promote solace in subjective experience at the expense of objective evidence and which allow people to run away from reality.
(All phrases from Dawkins)
So is the notion of an Age of reason a utopian dream (or nightmare - depending on your perspective) destined to failure because of man’s innate proclivity, need even, to believe in unfalsifiable nonsense of one sort or another? Or is the current situation a temporary blip in mankind's inevitable progress down the road of rationality and reason?
GK Chesterton said: "When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing -- they believe in anything." — Was he right? And if he was what are the implications for New Atheism and the hoped for Age of Reason?
Edited by Straggler, : No reason given.
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