Opinion | Enlightenment values need both revival and adoption

As we witness intolerance to reason, democratic argument and humanism, and see the lines blur between religion and the State, an inevitable question emerges: Do we have moral theories to address these societal challenges? To deal with today’s three most important challenges—which are, the right to free speech, inclusive development, and the preservation of a secular state—we need to make these values central to our public discourse. There the Jew, the Mohammedan, and the Christian bargain with one another as if they were of the same religion, and bestow the name of infidel on bankrupts only… Was there in London but one religion, despotism might be apprehended; if two only, they would seek to cut each other’s throats; but as there are at least thirty, they live together in peace and happiness.” Voltaire’s observation is unequivocal: Competing religious ideologies are harmful and only develop differences among men, while commerce brings them together through the ligature of mutual prosperity. Policies based on Smith’s “impartial spectator” or Hume’s “general will” could serve an important role in helping India become inclusive and strengthen its cultural diversity. This nonage is self-imposed if its cause lies not in lack of understanding but in indecision and lack of courage to use one’s mind without another’s guidance.” Kant reinforces the fact that Enlightenment values are timeless; that they don’t end with the 18th century because people still need to free themselves from their self-imposed nonage to become enlightened.