The Spirit of Liberty: The Enlightenment and Modern Politics
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Release Date: 02/25/2026
Gulliver's Travels: Satirical Criticism of the Enlightenment
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
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: How does Swift’s emphasis on human character critique the Enlightenment notion of homo universalis? In what way does Gulliver’s Travels argue that man is not nearly as rational as Enlightenment philosophers have presumed him to be? Why does Swift seem to reject the concept of striving for immortality? Recommended Reading: Swift, Jonathan. . 1726. Reprint, England: Oxford University Press, 2008. This...
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Robinson Crusoe II: Master of His Own Destiny
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Daniel Defoe’s Enlightenment experiment continues in the second half of Robinson Crusoe. As we continue our survey, we’ll answer the following questions: How does the novel reflect the Enlightenment view of progress as vital for the development of human civilization? Why is there a notable lack of women throughout Robinson Crusoe? In what sense can the novel be considered an updated, Enlightenment version of the Christian story of the prodigal son? Recommended Reading: Defoe, Daniel. . 1719. Reprint, New York: Modern Library, 2001. This week's episode of The Pillars is generously...
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Robinson Crusoe I: The Individual as a Thought Experiment
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
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: How does Robinson Crusoe develop a rational response to the question of how man should respond to suffering? Why do Crusoe’s labors on his island occupy a central role in the narrative? In what sense can Crusoe’s religious experience in the novel be considered Jewish-inspired? Recommended Reading: Defoe, Daniel. . 1719. Reprint, New York: Modern Library, 2001.
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John Locke: Philosopher of Liberty
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
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: How does Locke’s perspective on the state of nature inform his divergence from Hobbes in their respective views on sovereignty? How does Locke come to the conclusion that the individual has natural rights? According to Locke, why is absolute monarchy an illegitimate form of government? Recommended Reading: Locke, John. . 1689.
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Thomas Hobbes: A New Vision of Government
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Thomas Hobbes will redefine the way we understand both government and society. Today, Rabbi Rocklin will help us answer the following questions: Why did Hobbes dispense with the Medieval notion of customary rights? According to Hobbes, why is the role of the sovereign to ensure the security of the people? 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. . 1651.
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The Spirit of Liberty: The Enlightenment and Modern Politics
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
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: Why was John Locke’s view on property important in the development of the Enlightenment? How did Enlightenment philosophy create conditions for Jews to be able to assimilate into society? In what ways did Rousseau begin to break away from the Enlightenment?
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The Enlightenment: Philosophy Par Excellence?
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Western thought will begin to shift towards universal laws and individual rights with the advent of the Enlightenment. As we unpack that idea, we’ll address the following questions: In what way was the notion of progress emphasized in the Enlightenment? Why did Enlightenment thinkers begin to see all human beings as fundamentally the same? How did the Enlightenment lead to the notion that the purpose of society is the preservation of individual dignity?
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French Drama and Culture: Moliere and Racine
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Out of the seventeenth century would emerge two of France’s greatest playwrights: Moliere and Racine. To help us learn more about them, we’ll address the following questions: How did French Neoclassicism develop in response to the political tension between France and Spain? In what sense did the Neoclassical spirit inspire French drama and distinguish it from English drama? Was Moliere truly the revolutionary that later republicans assumed him to be? Recommended Reading: Aslanov, Cyril. . England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019.
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Milton, Selden, and Harington: Scholars of the Hebraic Century
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The work of the major seventeenth century Christian Hebraists led to important advances in the development of the individual. As we learn more about this topic, we’ll address the following questions: How does Milton’s knowledge of Midrash support his retelling of the Biblical stories in Paradise Lost? In what sense were Milton’s views on marriage and divorce informed by his love of the individual? Why did Selden turn to the Talmud to try to and reconcile reason, natural law, and tradition? Grosby, Steven. "" Law & Liberty, July 2013. Haivry, Ofir. . England: Cambridge...
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Donne, Dryden, and Pope: 17th Century English Poets
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The great poets of the seventeenth century are noteworthy in their innovations in engaging with earlier literature to promote their own ideas. As we explore why they are still relevant, we’ll also answer the following questions: How did John Donne’s love poems reflect the inward shift from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance? What was particularly innovative about John Dryden’s translation of Virgil’s Aeneid? How did Alexander Pope use poetry to transform the medieval story of Abelard and Heloise? This week's episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Alex Bahary.
info_outlineAs 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:
- Why was John Locke’s view on property important in the development of the Enlightenment?
- How did Enlightenment philosophy create conditions for Jews to be able to assimilate into society?
- In what ways did Rousseau begin to break away from the Enlightenment?