The Age of Reason
Friedrich and Georg Muench, and Paul Follenius were educated according to enlightenment ideas. It was a time of great optimism in which reason ruled.
In the Enlightenment, also known as the "Age of Reason," the universe was seen as an orderly system, a machine designed by God, much like a finely tuned watch. In this line of thought, government could and should be designed to benefit the people. People were part of that system and were understood as beings who made rational decisions in their own best interest, for instance, a thought that originates in the writings of economist Adam Smith and which Friedrich Muench would later mention in his writings.
In the Enlightenment, also known as the "Age of Reason," the universe was seen as an orderly system, a machine designed by God, much like a finely tuned watch. In this line of thought, government could and should be designed to benefit the people. People were part of that system and were understood as beings who made rational decisions in their own best interest, for instance, a thought that originates in the writings of economist Adam Smith and which Friedrich Muench would later mention in his writings.
Immanuel Kant
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In his memoirs, Friedrich Muench made it clear that he was a follower of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.
Kant's philosophy emphasized duty in moral obligations. He is famous for his "categorical imperative," in which one should, “Act only on the maxim whereby [you can] at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” Later, he added that one should, “Act as to treat humanity … as an end … never as means only.” The free-thinking, rational thought that stems from the Enlightenment, and echoes of the philosophy of Kant are found throughout Friedrich Muench's writings. |
The Quotable Friedrich Muench
Freedom & Slavery
“No one can deny the shameful fact that we were not
free men in this so-called free country as long as the slaveowners could control us at a whim.”
History
“History…discloses [the] progress or our race in
developing the inborn light [enlightenment].”
Education
“We don’t need more churches; we need more schools.”
Religion – Down with Dogma!
“Although bred by my father in the orthodox Lutheran creed… I found myself drawn to the Rational view of Christianity.”
“The Bible is equivalent to other historical artifacts.”
“Religious rites and forms are of a temporal, in part national character, and may change; the truth is eternal.”
“No one can deny the shameful fact that we were not
free men in this so-called free country as long as the slaveowners could control us at a whim.”
History
“History…discloses [the] progress or our race in
developing the inborn light [enlightenment].”
Education
“We don’t need more churches; we need more schools.”
Religion – Down with Dogma!
“Although bred by my father in the orthodox Lutheran creed… I found myself drawn to the Rational view of Christianity.”
“The Bible is equivalent to other historical artifacts.”
“Religious rites and forms are of a temporal, in part national character, and may change; the truth is eternal.”