The flight from reason.(Parting Thoughts)(Column)

From: USA Today (Magazine) | Date: July 1, 1995| Author: | Copyright information

Reason has done wonders for humankind, but many people seem to be abandoning it in their everyday lives. Superstitions, irrational behavior, and a reliance on feelings are commonplace and reason seems distrusted. This distrust could be disastrous for society and the world.

THE U.S. came about largely through the influence of the European Age of Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and many signers of the Declaration of Independence were steeped in its ideas and ideals. One of those was the advancement of science, which had ...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

Reason, Communicative Learning, and Civil Society: The Use of Habermasian Theory in Adult Education
; ...education, looking at Habermas' focus on reason and rationality, his theory of communicative...his recent work on civil society. Despite criticisms of his work, the depth...of Habermas' work; his analysis of reason, the notion of communicative learning...
Despite availability, most US families see no reason for switching to broadband, says new report.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
; ...Partners - http://www.vandusseldorp.com/ Despite a high level of availability in geographical...access terms, few American families see a reason to pay the extra costs of a broadband...70 per cent of these state cost as the reason for not upgrading. Per month, a broadband...
Rescue at what price?: To save a life despite risk or reason has become American way.
; ...mine, are only the most famous of many lesser-known efforts. Reason doesn't matter Rescuers tend not to do a cost-benefit projection...deal with people who have poor social skills or for whatever reason don't recognize the obvious signs of danger around them, he...
REASON TO CELEBRATE DESPITE A LOSS
; TONY WILLIAMS, Staff Writer The Record (Bergen County, NJ) 08-22-1999 REASON TO CELEBRATE DESPITE A LOSS By TONY WILLIAMS, Staff Writer Date: 08-22-1999, Sunday Section: SPORTS Edition: All Editions -- Sunday As manager Donna...Although the team's dream of winning a State title ended with a 16-14 defeat to ...
Privatization on the Rise Despite Surpluses.(Reason Public Policy Institute report)(Brief Article)
; ...according to a report by Reason Public Policy Institute (RPPI), Los Angeles, Calif. Despite the assumption that it...growing at a vigorous pace despite surplus-heavy budgets because...specializing in those areas. Despite the growing interest in...
Faith & Reason: Why peace is inevitable, despite all this violence Something has happened irrevocably in the Middle East - beneath the terrible events of this week, the move to a Palestinian state now has an irreversible momentum
; ...talks, which is one of the reasons why Ariel Sharon went on his...intuitive conviction that, despite these painful setbacks; despite the fact that Ehud Barak's...resultant violence and bloodshed; despite all these gloomy short-term...
Even easy Ernie has his demons Despite his relaxed attitude, the South African has struggled to finish well at Augusta, says Mark Reason
; ...Seventies to be a gentleman's outfitter. But despite the incongruous fact that the dresser...remembered, "but maybe I choked a little less." Despite his two US Open victories and an eagle...tournament somehow enabled him to finish 13th despite spending much of his four days among the...
Investors in some parts of the country are enjoying improved returns on property investment despite falling rents. The reason is that house prices are falling faster than rents. Those who are enjoying the best returns are investors who are buying west Dublin properties, an area which is achieving the highest yields in three sectors and second highest in two sectors of the market.
; ...improved returns on property investment despite falling rents. The reason is that house prices are falling faster...according to the Daft.ie rental report. Despite the western capital's rents falling from...increase of 0.7pc over the six months despite a rental drop of '27 to '1,060 per month...
AFL: Port has reason for optimism despite finals pain
; AAP Sports News (Australia) 09-17-2001 AFL: Port has reason for optimism despite finals pain By Sam Lienert ADELAIDE, Sept 17 AAP - While Port Adelaide was deeply hurt by its sudden exit from the AFL finals, a cool-headed review of the season will give the Power plenty of reason for optimism. Coach Mark ...
A REASON FOR HOPE DESPITE INJURIES
; ...Writer The Record (Bergen County, NJ) 05-16-2001 A REASON FOR HOPE DESPITE INJURIES By RANDY LANGE, Staff Writer Date: 05-16...Jones. And Hamilton was in a positive frame of mind, despite having gone on the 15-day disabled list April 27 with...