Page 316 - Orthodoxy Zizioulas

O r t h o d o x y
The Characteristics and Impasses
of the Modern World
Having traced the historical origins of the modern world,
we may now turn to examine its fundamental charac-
teristics and the impasses to which they have led.
The Enlightenment, consistent with its historical origins,
revolved around several basic axes.
First, the absolute dominance of human reason. Anything
that does not conform to human logic becomes suspect of
prejudice and superstition. Miracles, faith in the supernatural,
the transcendent, and the divine are called into question. Even
those who continue to believe in religion are compelled to
reconcile their faith with reason, seeking logical proofs for the
existence of God, the soul, and other realities. Thus, Christian
theology engages in a vast effort to demonstrate that faith does
not oppose reason, developing apologetics, which continues
to be taught in many theological schools.
Secondly, the rise of individualism and the significance of
the individual. Since human reason is regarded as the supreme
authority, each thinking person becomes capable of discover-
ing truth independently and judging what is right and true
without the need for external authority. This leads to the
weakening or abolition of traditional authorities, especially
religious and ecclesiastical ones, provoking reactions such as
the dogma of papal infallibility in the Roman Catholic Church.
A third characteristic is the decisive importance of psychol-
ogy as individual experience. The emphasis on consciousness
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