COUNTER-ENLIGHTENMENT TRAITS

Counter-Enlightenment traits are a group of beliefs and attitudes that run counter to the values that made possible the modern world. We can list 5 such beliefs. These are mysticism, idealism, totalitarianism /anti-individualism (or communalism and/or communism), anti-republicanism and the rule of whims ( as against rule of law).

Modern world is characterized by increasing ability of large group of people to achieve consensus among them. Ability to arrive at consensus without physical conflicts is the cardinal feature of the modern world. This ability was not achieved in few years, but through decades and centuries of conflicts and turmoil. But its essential features are found in the works of thinkers of 17-18th century Europe belonging to the Age of Enlightenment.