This month welcomed the ex-Provost of York University,
Dr. John Issitt. He
spoke to us about English Radicalism in the wake of the French Revolution and
how the beliefs that reason and rationality would inevitably lead to a better
society were put to the test.
John used the real life historical figure of Jeremiah Joyce
(1763-1816) with which to examine the movement for radical societal and
constitutional change inspired by events across the channel. Glazier, Unitarian
Minister and tutor to the Earl of Stanhope’s children, Joyce was a member of
both the Society for Constitutional Reform and the London Corresponding
Society. Both organisations were in the forefront of radical thought. The
ideas that were debated in these groups made him a target of the established
order and he was arrested and charged, along with several others, with
‘treasonable practices’. However, due to an overly confident and poorly
presented prosecution and an excellent defence lawyer all were acquitted. All
of this is covered in far more detail in John’s book
‘The
Agents of Reason’.
John explained how whilst today reason and rationality are
very much associated with scientific enquiry and an atheistic outlook this was
not always the case. In Joyce’s age reason was a tool to strip away all the
supernatural revelations, leaving one with an understanding of the mind of
god. In other words, a Deistic approach.
The main subject of the talk was meant to be Joyce and how
the bloody outcome of the
French Revolution had dented many people’s belief in the power of reason to
create a better future. But it became clear that our speaker also had his own doubts.
John explained how in his earlier years he had been a firm
believer in the power of Rationality. Indeed, he remembered arguments he
had with people of faith and how he viewed them as misguided, ill-informed or
just plain stupid. But now, whilst not religious, he couldn’t help
feeling that a world where everything choice we make could be reduced to a process of reasoning
leading to a logical choice was an arid landscape indeed. Was the enjoyment of a piece of art or a beautiful landscape nothing more than a cold, calculated, logical decision?
In many ways I viewed this talk as an archaeological dig
through a particular period in the history of radical thought. But also a
lament by John to his own lost belief in the transformative power of pure
reason. There was a tangible sense as John spoke of how he really wishes
he still believed but he can’t. Whilst at the same time he can’t accept the
more religious approach to life. Whilst John stated he was an Atheist, one of
our audience asked if, in fact, he was really agnostic. That’s for John to
work out.
An outstanding Q&A session followed. Several of
the audience spoke up to defend the power of reason. Believing that the
process of Rationality was valid. It was just that ‘bad data’ was being
pushed through the system leading to poor decisions and outcomes. One
believed that the problem wasn’t with Reason itself but the fact that most
decisions have to be made so quickly. Our brains simply cannot work our options
in a reasoned way fast enough. Therefore, bad decisions are made and poor
outcomes follow.
John didn’t feel this was the case. Even if it were, we have
the brains that we have. Even if it were possible, are we to change our brains
to fit with the needs of Reason? Wouldn’t that make us slaves to Reason and
slightly less human?
So, just another evening of light, casual debate in the local………..
NEXT TIME: NOTE DUE TO THE WORLD CUP
THIS EVENT IS A WEEK LATER THAN NORMAL – Alasdair Smith of the
Anti-Academies Alliance will be explaining why he believes that Academies &
Free Schools are not the way to improve education in the UK. This will be
a cracker. Bedford has so many different models of schools (2-tier, 3-tier,
academies, religious schools, and a free school) that it is highly relevant to
our town. Spread the word and come along. Thursday 26
th June 7pm at
The White Horse. More details
HERE.
As some of you may remember, Bedford Skeptics In The Pub first started in October 2012 in The Fox & Hounds on Goldington Avenue. After a couple of events there we moved to our present location at The White Horse. Whilst Nigel and his staff have always been the most genial of hosts, for some time the Bedford Skeptics In The Pub Committee has
been aware of issues and shortcomings with the use of the White Horse for
our events. We are happy to report that we believe we have found a
new venue in the form of the North End Social Club, adjacent to the
roundabout at the junction of Roff Avenue and Tavistock Street. The exact address is 70 Roff Avenue, Bedford, MK41 7TW.
The advantages we have identified, compared with the White
Horse, are: