The secularization of the European mind in the nineteenth century : the Gifford lectures in the University of Edinburgh for 1973-4

The declining hold of the Church and its doctrines on European society represents a major shift in Western life and thought. Owen Chadwick's acclaimed lectures on the secularisation of the European mind trace this movement in the nineteenth century, identifying and exploring both the social and the intellectual aspects of this momentous change. The rise of technology, the growth of big cities and a cheap press take their place alongside evolutionary science and Marxism in this fascinating analysis of the erosion of the Church's power. Woven into its brilliant discussion are brief but very illuminating studies of familiar major thinkers, including Marx, Darwin, Mill and Comte. "Based on Professor Chadwick's Gifford Lectures in the University of Edinburgh 1973-74, this is a many sided study of the declining hold of the Church and its doctrines on men's minds and lives. The historian must examine what men believed and how strongly they held their beliefs, as well as statistics of church attendance. The use of new machinery, the growth of big cities, a cheap press, attitudes to popular representation, and the impact of Marx are all relevant, as well as the development of evolutionary science and scientific history. Professor Chadwick studies each of these themes, and the Church's reactions to change, in penetrating detail. Woven into the broad themes of the book are brief but illuminating studies of major thinkers like Marx, Darwin, Mill, Comte, Renan, Taine and Michelet, as well as other nowadays less regarded such as Vogt, Draper, Buchner, Brunetiere and Vogue."--Back cover Chadwick Discusses Secularism As A Social And Intellectual Problem In Nineteenth-century European Life. Issues Such As Liberalism, Anticlericalism, And Scientific Principles Take Root In The European Mind. Individuals Such As Karl Marx And Voltaire Influence The Transformation. Ch. 1. Introduction -- Pt. 1. Social Problem -- Ch. 2. On Liberalism -- Ch. 3. Karl Marx -- Ch. 4. Attitudes Of The Worker -- Ch. 5. Rise Of Anticlericalism -- Pt. 2. Intellectual Problem -- Ch. 6. Voltaire In The Nineteenth Century -- Ch. 7. Science And Religion -- Ch. 8. History And The Secular -- Ch. 9. Moral Nature Of Man -- Ch. 10. On A Sense Of Providence. Owen Chadwick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 267-279) And Index. Cover ......Page 1 Title page ......Page 3 Copyright ......Page 4 Contents ......Page 5 1. Introduction ......Page 7 Part I: The Social Problem ......Page 25 2. On Liberalism......Page 27 3. Karl Marx......Page 54 4. The Attitudes of the Worker ......Page 94 5. The Rise of Anticlericalism......Page 113 Part II: The Intellectual Problem......Page 146 6. Voltaire in the Nineteenth Century......Page 148 7. Science and Religion ......Page 166 8. History and the Secular ......Page 194 9. The Moral Nature of Man......Page 234 10. On a Sense of Providence ......Page 255 Notes to the Text......Page 272 Index ......Page 286