Reason, the Only Oracle of Man; Or, A Compendius System of Natural Religion (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Enlightenment Deism, Natural Religion, and Early American SkepticismBy Ethan Allen
Length6h 8m
About this audiobook
Ethan Allen's Reason, the Only Oracle of Man; Or, A Compendious System of Natural Religion is one of early America's most audacious works of Enlightenment religious thought. Written in a vigorous, argumentative prose, the book rejects supernatural revelation, clerical authority, and inherited dogma in favor of reason, observation, and the moral order of nature. Its style is not merely philosophical but combative, placing it within the transatlantic deist tradition associated with rational inquiry and anti-ecclesiastical critique. Allen, best known as the Revolutionary War leader of the Green Mountain Boys and a central figure in Vermont's early political history, brought to theology the same independence that marked his public life. His experiences of frontier conflict, imprisonment, and resistance to established authority likely sharpened his suspicion of institutional power. Though not a professional philosopher, he wrote with the confidence of a self-taught republican thinker formed by the radical currents of the eighteenth century. This book is recommended to readers interested in American Enlightenment thought, deism, and the religious controversies of the early republic. It remains valuable not for systematic subtlety, but for its bold articulation of reason as a democratic and liberating force.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.0 (168)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing
GenrePhilosophy
Length6 hrs 8 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 12, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Reason, the Only Oracle of Man; Or, A Compendius System of Natural Religion (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5INTRODUCTION.
Show all chaptersShow less
6PREFACE.
7ORACLES OF REASON,
8CHAPTER I.
9SECTION I. THE DUTY OF REFORMING MANKIND FROM SUPERSTITION AND ERROR...
10AND THE GOOD CONSEQUENCES OF IT
11SECTION II. OF THE BEING OF A GOD
12SECTION III. THE MANNER OF DISCOVERING THE MORAL PERFECTIONS...
13AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
14SECTION IV. THE CAUSE OF IDOLATRY, AND THE REMEDY OF IT
15CHAPTER II.
16SECTION I. OF THE ETERNITY OF CREATION
17SECTION II. OBSERVATIONS OF MOSES'S ACCOUNT OF CREATION
18SECTION III. OF THE ETERNITY AND INFINITUDE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
19SECTION IV. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD DOES NOT INTERFERE...
20WITH THE AGENCY OF MAN.
21CHAPTER III.
22SECTION I. THE DOCTRINE OF THE INFINITY OF EVIL AND OF SIN CONSIDERED
23SECTION II. THE MORAL GOVERNMENT OF GOD AS INCOMPATIBLE...
24WITH ETERNAL PUNISHMENT
25SECTION III. HUMAN LIBERTY, AGENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, CANNOT...
26BE ATTENDED WITH ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES, EITHER GOOD OR EVIL
27SECTION IV. OF PHYSICAL EVILS.
28CHAPTER IV.
29SECTION I. SPECULATION ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE DEPRAVITY...
30OF HUMAN REASON.
31SECTION II. CONTAINING A DISQUISITION OF THE LAW OF NATURE...
32CHAPTER V.
33SECTION I. ARGUMENTATIVE REFLECTIONS ON SUPERNATURAL...
34AND MYSTERIOUS REVELATION IN GENERAL.
35SECTION II. CONTAINING OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROVIDENCE...
36CHAPTER VI.
37SECTION I. OF MIRACLES
38SECTION II. A SUCCESSION OF KNOWLEDGE, OR OF THE EXERTION OF POWER...
39SECTION III. RARE AND WONDERFUL PHENOMENA NO EVIDENCE OF MIRACLES...
40SECTION IV. PRAYER CANNOT BE ATTENDED WITH MIRACULOUS CONSEQUENCES
41CHAPTER VII.
42SECTION I. THE VAGUENESS AND UNINTELLIGIBLENESS OF THE PROPHECIES...
43RENDER THEM INCAPABLE OF PROVING REVELATION.
44SECTION II. THE CONTENTIONS WHICH SUBSISTED BETWEEN THE PROPHETS...
45CHAPTER VIII.
46SECTION I. OF THE NATURE OF FAITH AND WHEREIN IT CONSISTS
47SECTION II. OF THE TRADITIONS OF OUR FOREFATHERS
48SECTION III. OUR FAITH IS GOVERNED BY OUR REASONINGS...
49CHAPTER IX.
50SECTION I. A TRINITY OF PERSONS CANNOT EXIST IN THE DIVINE ESSENCE...
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