The Enlightenment and Original Sin

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The book delves into the Enlightenment by examining how it redefined human nature, particularly through the rejection of original sin. Historian Matthew Kadane uses the life of Pentecost Barker, an 18th-century purser and wine merchant, to illustrate this transformation. By analyzing Barker's diary and his correspondence with a Unitarian minister, Kadane reveals Barker's shift from a Puritan worldview to an Enlightenment perspective. This personal journey reflects broader philosophical changes that continue to influence discussions about human nature today.