Single Idea 12963

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 7. Status of Reason]

Full Idea

To speak against reason is to speak against truth, for reason is a chain of truths.

Gist of Idea

Opposing reason is opposing truth, since reason is a chain of truths

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.21)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.199


A Reaction

Truth has a talismanic quality here (which it didn't always have). This is a lovely slogan for defenders of the Enlightenment. It forces modern critics of the Enlightenment (Adorno etc) to launch an attack on truth, which is a doomed line.