Free Thought (Noun)
Meaning
The form of theological rationalism that believes in God on the basis of reason without reference to revelation.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The philosophical ideas of eighteenth-century free thought emphasized intellectual autonomy and individual reasoning in matters of faith.
- Free thought played a significant role in shaping the Deistic movement by promoting the idea of a rational universe governed by natural laws.
- The spread of Enlightenment ideas stimulated a growth in free thought, as many people began questioning the authority of the Church.
- Those who adhered to the principles of free thought often sought to reconcile their faith in a supreme being with scientific discoveries and rational inquiry.
- Eighteenth-century thinkers who espoused free thought typically viewed reason and individual experience as the foundation for understanding and believing in a higher power.