alexis de tocqueville democracy in america sparknotes

Since all are considered to be equally capable of knowing the truth, people assume that truth must lie with the majority. People are very unlikely to believe in the ideas of any one man or class, but are very willing to trust public opinion. Therefore authority also plays a part in intellectual and moral life.Įquality tends to give make men overestimate the power of human reason, and generally look to themselves or those around them for the truth. Anyone who refused to accept anything without proving it himself would never be firmly convinced of anything. Even individually, man needs dogmatic beliefs because there is simply not enough time in life to examine and prove all the truths which he makes use of in daily life. Societies needs at least some dogmatic beliefsthat is, opinions taken on trust without discussionbecause without common ideas common action is impossible, and without common action society cannot exist, much less prosper. Chapter 2: Concerning the Principal Source of Beliefs Among Democratic Peoples

The second reason is that there was no democratic revolution in America, and consequently no anarchy extreme social animosities to upset all traditional ideas. Religion is believed without discussion, because it has set its own limits so that laws and politics can change without affecting beliefs. Why is it that the French apply the Cartesian method more strictly than the Americans although the Americans have more liberty? The first reason is the peculiar power of religion in America.

This method can only take root in a society where there is a high degree of equality. Basically, the Americans are following Descartes's method perfectly, allowing all traditional ideas to be open for attack. As a result they have an aversion to the supernatural. There is a distaste for accepting anything on the basis of authority, and they think that everything can be explained by human intelligence. Most people rely on individual effort and judgment for their decisions. The American people pay little attention to philosophy, yet they all think according to the same method. Buy Study Guide Part I: Influence of Democracy on the Intellectual Movements in the United States Chapter I: Concerning the Philosophical Approach of the Americans

Alexis de tocqueville democracy in america sparknotes