Blackwell’s is host to Philosophy in the Bookshop, A monthly series of Philosophy talks and discussions hosted by author and public philosopher, Nigel Warburton. This month, we are delighted to be welcoming Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK to discuss his new ‘Very Short Introduction to Secularism’.
Until the modern period the integration of church (or other religion) and state (or political life) had been taken for granted. The political order was always tied to an official religion in Christian Europe, pre-Christian Europe, and in the Arabic world. But from the eighteenth century onwards, some European states began to set up their political order on a different basis. Not religion, but the rule of law through non-religious values embedded in constitutions became the foundation of some states – a movement we now call secularism.
In this Very Short Introduction Andrew Copson tells the story of secularism, taking in momentous episodes in world history, such as the great transition of Europe from religious orthodoxy to pluralism, the global struggle for human rights and democracy, and the origins of modernity. He also considers the role of secularism when engaging with some of the most contentious political and legal issues of our time: ‘blasphemy’, ‘apostasy’, religious persecution, religious discrimination, religious schools, and freedom of belief and freedom of thought in a divided world.
This talk is FREE to attend and takes place in the Philosophy department. Please note that this area of the shop has limited access. Please call 01865 333623 with any enquiries.