Question

John Vervaeke argues that although Steven Pinker has positive qualities as a cognitive scientist, the Enlightenment is not religiously neutral according to him. Vervaeke suggests that the Enlightenment strongly values autonomy and tends to pursue it religiously, emphasizing self-definition. Pinker's view aligns with this emphasis on autonomy, but Vervaeke critiques this approach, asserting that an exclusive focus on individual autonomy can lead to a sense of disconnectedness, particularly in the face of a fragmented worldview. The claim that autonomy is the Enlightenment's central value can be understood in the context of the emergence of the individual as a moral agent, a key aspect of Enlightenment philosophy. This emphasis on autonomy, as discussed by Vervaeke, is not universally accepted, and there are critics who argue that it comes at the cost of losing a sense of relatedness to the cosmos. The discussion reflects ongoing debates about the core values of the Enlightenment and its impact on the perception of the self and society. What is the central critique John Vervaeke makes about the Enlightenment's emphasis on autonomy, as discussed in the passage?

A. Vervaeke criticizes autonomy as an outdated concept.
B. Vervaeke critiques the Enlightenment for not valuing autonomy enough.
C. Vervaeke argues that autonomy undermines the sense of connectedness in the face of a fragmented worldview.
D. Vervaeke suggests that autonomy is universally accepted without any drawbacks.

Answer 1

John Vervaeke critiques the Enlightenment's focus on autonomy for leading to disconnectedness and a loss of relatedness in a fragmented worldview.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Vervaeke's central critique about the Enlightenment's emphasis on autonomy is that it can lead to a sense of disconnectedness in a fragmented worldview. Vervaeke argues that when individual autonomy is exclusively focused upon, there is a consequential loss of a sense of relatedness, not only to other people but to the cosmos at large. Hence, while autonomy has been a critical value arising from Enlightenment thought, related to the emergence of the individual as a moral agent and an intellectual development celebrated throughout Western history, Vervaeke emphasizes the potential costs to social cohesion and meaningfulness that may result from its overemphasis.

John Vervaeke critiques the Enlightenment's emphasis on autonomy because it can lead to a sense of disconnectedness, particularly in the face of a fragmented worldview. He argues that an exclusive focus on individual autonomy undermines the sense of connectedness to the cosmos and can result in a loss of a broader perspective. Vervaeke suggests that the Enlightenment's strong value on autonomy may come at the cost of losing a sense of relatedness.