The Idea
The text says that the historical independence of human reason from the unseen and supra-rational authorities was not achieved in the time of Averroes, as some might think, but with the emergence of modernity. Here, reason does not appear as an abstract idea, but as a new authority that becomes capable of relying on itself in producing knowledge and interpreting the world. This places modernity at the center of the transformation, not at its margins.
Concise Formulation
The historical independence of human reason from the unseen and supra-rational authorities was achieved with modernity
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim enters into the construction of the book’s central argument because it identifies the historical moment when reason became a relatively independent authority. In this way, the text rejects a simplistic reading that sees in some ancient philosophers an early realization of modernity. The argumentative function here is to situate the concept historically, so that the present is not projected onto the past.
Why It Matters
The importance of the idea lies in the fact that it prevents the reader from confusing admiration for ancient philosophy with the achievement of modern intellectual independence. It also helps explain Arkoun’s critique of readings that treat heritage as a ready-made substitute for modernity. For him, the issue is not whether reason exists, but whether historical conditions exist that allow it to act independently and freely.
Reading Questions
- Why does the text reject attributing the independence of reason to the time of Averroes?
- What does modernity add so that reason becomes an authority in its own right?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book’s material.