Meaning: The quote "The theories of the major philosophers of the 18th century secular enlightenment were biblical and theological in spite of themselves" by M. Abrams Critic reflects a provocative assertion about the relationship between the Enlightenment philosophers and their engagement with religious and biblical ideas. This quote challenges the traditional view that the Enlightenment was a period of radical secularization and instead suggests that even those who sought to break free from religious dogma were still influenced by biblical and theological concepts.

The 18th century Enlightenment was a period marked by a profound shift in intellectual and cultural attitudes, characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and individualism. It is often seen as a time when thinkers sought to liberate themselves from the constraints of religious authority and superstition, advocating for the primacy of human reason and empirical observation. Figures such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot are often celebrated for their efforts to promote secular and rational thought, challenging the dominance of religious institutions and advocating for the separation of church and state.

However, M. Abrams' quote challenges this conventional understanding by suggesting that even the most ardent proponents of Enlightenment ideals were unable to fully extricate themselves from the influence of biblical and theological ideas. This assertion invites us to consider the ways in which the Enlightenment thinkers may have been shaped by the religious and theological framework of their time, even as they sought to move beyond it.

One way to interpret this quote is to consider the enduring impact of religious thought on Western intellectual history. The Enlightenment did not emerge in a vacuum; it was built on centuries of theological and philosophical debates that had been shaped by the Christian tradition. Even as Enlightenment thinkers critiqued and rejected certain aspects of religious doctrine, it is plausible to argue that they were still operating within a conceptual landscape that had been profoundly shaped by biblical and theological ideas. The language, concepts, and moral frameworks that they drew upon were deeply influenced by the religious heritage of Western civilization.

Moreover, the quote also invites us to consider the complex and multifaceted nature of the Enlightenment itself. While it is often portrayed as a monolithic movement characterized by a wholesale rejection of religion, the reality is far more nuanced. The Enlightenment encompassed a wide range of thinkers with diverse perspectives, and their attitudes towards religion and theology varied widely. Some, like Voltaire, were openly critical of religious institutions, while others, such as Immanuel Kant, sought to reconcile reason with faith. The quote by M. Abrams prompts us to consider the ways in which these diverse intellectual currents may have intersected with biblical and theological ideas in unexpected ways.

Furthermore, the quote challenges us to reexamine the relationship between reason and faith during the Enlightenment. It suggests that even as Enlightenment thinkers championed the power of human reason, they were still grappling with questions and concepts that had deep theological roots. This raises important questions about the extent to which the Enlightenment truly represented a clean break from the religious past, or whether it was a more complex and ambivalent process of negotiation and reinterpretation.

In conclusion, M. Abrams' quote challenges us to reconsider the conventional narrative of the Enlightenment as a purely secular and anti-religious movement. It encourages us to explore the ways in which biblical and theological ideas continued to exert an influence on the major philosophers of the 18th century, shaping their thought in ways that may not have been immediately apparent. By engaging with this perspective, we can gain a richer and more nuanced understanding of the intellectual currents that shaped the Enlightenment and its complex relationship with religious and theological traditions.