'Be Sober and Reasonable' : The Critique of Enthusiasm in the Seventeenth and Early Eighteenth Centuries

"Be Sober and Reasonable" deals with the theological and medical critique of "enthusiasm" in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, and with the relationship between enthusiasm and the new natural philosophy in that period. "Enthusiasm" at that time was a label ascribed to various individuals and groups who claimed to have direct divine inspiration - prophets, millenarists, alchemists, but also experimental philosophers, and even philosophers like Descartes. The book attempts to combine the perspectives of Intellectual history, Church history, history of medicine, and history of science, in analysing the various reactions to enthusiasm. The central thesis of the book is that the reaction to enthusiasm, especially in the Protestant world, may provide one important key to the origins of the Enlightenment, and to the processes of secularization of European consciousness. Be Sober And Reasonable Deals With The Theological And Medical Critique Of Enthusiasm In The Seventeenth And Early Eighteenth Centuries, And With The Relationship Between Enthusiasm And The New Natural Philosophy In That Period. Enthusiasm At That Time Was A Label Ascribed To Various Individuals And Groups Who Claimed To Have Direct Divine Inspiration - Prophets, Millenarists, Alchemists, But Also Experimental Philosophers, And Even Philosophers Like Descartes. The Book Attempts To Combine The Perspectives Of Intellectual History, Church History, History Of Medicine, And History Of Science, In Analyzing The Various Reactions To Enthusiasm. The Central Thesis Of The Book Is That The Reaction To Enthusiasm, Especially In The Protestant World, May Provide One Important Key To The Origins Of The Enlightenment, And To The Processes Of Secularization Of European Consciousness. 1. The Theological Critique Of Enthusiasm -- 2. Melancholy And Enthusiasm: The Sources Of The Medical Critique Of Enthusiasm -- 3. Strange, But Natural Effects: The Medical Critique Of Enthusiasm In The Works Of Meric Casaubon And Henry More -- 4. Descartes And The Cartesian Philosophy: A Manifestation Of Enthusiasm? -- 5. The New Experimental Philosophy: A Manifestation Of Enthusiasm Or An Antidote To It? -- 6. Scripture And Reason: The New Theological Discourse On The Eve Of The Enlightenment -- 7. The New Medical Discourse And The Theological Critique Of Enthusiasm -- 8. Shaftesbury And The Limits Of Toleration Concerning Enthusiasm -- 9. Mechanism And Enthusiasm: From Explicit Antagonism To Implicit Alliance -- Conclusion: The Critique Of Enthusiasm And The Problem Of Secularization. By Michael Heyd. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book analyses the theological, medical and scientific critique of “enthusiasm” — claims to direct divine inspiration — in early modern Europe, and the contribution of that critique to a more secular culture on the eve of the Enlightenment.