Deism
Definition
A philosophical belief that posits God exists but does not interfere with the natural world; it also rejects organized religions' claims about divine revelations.
Analogy
Deism is like a clockmaker who creates a clock (the universe), winds it up (sets everything into motion), then steps back and lets it run on its own without intervening.
Related terms
The Enlightenment: An intellectual movement during the 17th-18th centuries emphasizing reason over tradition; many deists were part of this movement.
Agnosticism: The view that the existence of God is unknown or unknowable.
Rationalism: A belief that opinions should be based on reason and evidence rather than religious faith.
"Deism" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (1)
- Which Enlightenment philosopher’s ideas most directly contributed to the establishment of deism as a popular belief system during the 18th century?
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