TEHRAN – Belgian philosopher Louis Dupré’s book “The Enlightenment and the Intellectual Foundations of Modern Culture” has been published in Persian.

Translated by Masud Azarfam, the book was published by Qoqnus.

An eminent scholar of modern culture argues that the enlightenment, the importance of which has been vigorously debated in recent years, was a more complex phenomenon than either its detractors or advocates assume.

“Ranging as it does over art, morality, religion, science, philosophy, social theory and a good deal besides, [Dupré’s book] is a marvel of scholarly erudition,” Terry Eagleton of Harper’s Magazine commented.

“This immensely readable book will cause readers to rethink the enlightenment and to see its positive aspects. It will also add crucial historical perspective to current discussions of modernity,” Donald Verene of Emory University wrote.

Dupre is a Catholic phenomenologist and religious philosopher. He was the T. Lawrason Riggs Professor in Yale University’s religious studies department from 1973 to 1998, after which he became Professor Emeritus. 

His work generally attempts to tie the modern age more closely to medieval and classical thought, finding precursors to enlightenment and reformation events that were naively viewed as revolutions. 

He is also the author of “Passage to Modernity”.

Photo: Front cover of the Persian edition of Louis Dupré’s book “The Enlightenment and the Intellectual Foundations of Modern Culture”.

MMS/YAW