6.3 Deism and Its Influence on Literature

Deism, a philosophy emphasizing reason over religious dogma, shaped American literature in the 17th and 18th centuries. It rejected supernatural elements and promoted moral behavior independent of religious doctrine, influencing key figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

Deist ideas in American writing encouraged critical thinking, criticized organized religion, and emphasized ethical conduct. This rational approach contributed to Enlightenment thought, scientific inquiry, and principles underlying the American Revolution and formation of the United States.

Deism and Its Influence on American Literature

Central beliefs of Deism

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• Emerged during the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and rational thinking over religious dogma and revelation
• Belief in a supreme being or creator who set the universe in motion but does not intervene in human affairs (watchmaker analogy)
• Rejects miracles, prophecies, and other supernatural elements often associated with organized religion (divine intervention, virgin birth)
• Emphasizes the importance of moral behavior and the pursuit of virtue independent of religious doctrine
• Asserts that reason and observation of the natural world are the best means of understanding God and the universe (scientific inquiry, empiricism)

American writers with Deist influence

• Benjamin Franklin, a key figure in the American Enlightenment and proponent of Deist ideas reflected in his autobiography and other writings (Poor Richard's Almanack)
• Thomas Paine, political activist and philosopher whose works advocated for Deist beliefs and criticized organized religion while promoting rational thinking ("The Age of Reason," "Common Sense")
• Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President and leading intellectual of the Enlightenment era whose writings were influenced by Deist philosophy (Declaration of Independence, "Notes on the State of Virginia")

Deist ideas in American literature

• Promotes the use of reason and logic, encouraging readers to question traditional beliefs and think critically about the world (scientific method, skepticism)
• Criticizes organized religion and its reliance on supernatural elements, seeking to demystify religious beliefs and promote a more rational understanding of the divine (anti-clericalism, secularism)
• Emphasizes the importance of moral conduct and the pursuit of virtue, arguing that living an ethical life is more important than adhering to religious rituals or doctrines (humanism, moral philosophy)

Impact of Deism on Enlightenment thought

• Contributed to the growth of rational thinking and scientific inquiry, encouraging individuals to seek knowledge through observation and reason rather than relying solely on religious authority (empiricism, scientific revolution)
• Influenced political and social discourse, with an emphasis on reason and individual liberty shaping the principles behind the American Revolution and the formation of the United States (natural rights, social contract theory)
• Helped secularize writing and promote new forms of expression, with authors exploring themes beyond religious doctrine and focusing on human nature, morality, and the natural world (realism, naturalism)