The Great Agnostic

1. What is "The Great Agnostic: Robert Ingersoll and American Freethought" by Susan Jacoby about?

• Biography and Intellectual History: The book is a biography of Robert Green Ingersoll, a 19th-century American orator, lawyer, and leading advocate for secularism, reason, and freethought.
• Freethought Movement: It explores the golden age of American freethought (roughly 1875–1914), highlighting Ingersoll’s role in challenging religious orthodoxy and promoting the separation of church and state.
• Cultural and Political Context: Jacoby situates Ingersoll’s life and work within the broader social, political, and scientific changes of his era, including debates over evolution, women’s rights, and civil liberties.
• Legacy and Relevance: The book also examines why Ingersoll’s influence faded in the 20th century and argues for his continued relevance in contemporary discussions about secularism and religion in America.

2. Why should I read "The Great Agnostic" by Susan Jacoby?

• Rediscovering a Forgotten Figure: The book revives the story of Robert Ingersoll, a once-famous but now largely forgotten champion of reason and secularism in American history.
• Insight into American Secularism: It provides a detailed account of the origins and development of secular thought in the United States, which remains highly relevant to current debates about religion and public life.
• Engaging Storytelling: Jacoby combines rigorous scholarship with accessible writing, making complex historical and philosophical issues understandable and compelling.
• Contemporary Relevance: The book draws parallels between 19th-century and modern culture wars, showing how Ingersoll’s battles over science, religion, and civil rights echo today.

3. Who was Robert Ingersoll, and why is he called "The Great Agnostic"?

• Prominent Orator and Lawyer: Ingersoll (1833–1899) was one of the most famous public speakers of his time, known for his wit, eloquence, and advocacy of secularism.
• Champion of Freethought: He was dubbed "The Great Agnostic" for his outspoken criticism of organized religion and his defense of reason, science, and humanism.
• Political and Social Influence: Ingersoll influenced a wide range of prominent Americans, from Mark Twain to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and was a key figure in debates over evolution, civil rights, and women’s suffrage.
• Legacy of Secularism: Despite his fame, Ingersoll’s open agnosticism limited his political career, and his memory faded as America’s religious landscape shifted in the 20th century.

4. What are the key takeaways from "The Great Agnostic" by Susan Jacoby?

• Secular Roots of America: The book emphasizes that the U.S. Constitution was deliberately secular, and Ingersoll worked to remind Americans of this heritage.
• Role of Reason and Science: Ingersoll’s advocacy for science and reason helped popularize evolutionary theory and challenged religious literalism.
• Intersection of Social Issues: The book connects Ingersoll’s secularism to his stances on abolition, women’s rights, labor reform, and racial equality.
• Enduring Culture Wars: Jacoby shows that many of the issues Ingersoll confronted—such as church-state separation and the teaching of evolution—remain unresolved and contentious today.

5. How does Susan Jacoby define "freethought" in "The Great Agnostic"?

• Observation Over Revelation: Freethought is described as a worldview based on observation, evidence, and reason rather than adherence to ancient sacred texts.
• Intellectual Independence: It emphasizes the right and responsibility of individuals to form their own beliefs, free from religious or dogmatic authority.
• Historical Movement: Jacoby traces the term’s origins to 17th-century England and details its flourishing in 19th-century America, with Ingersoll as its leading advocate.
• Inclusivity and Progress: Freethought, as presented in the book, is linked to broader movements for social progress, including science, civil rights, and gender equality.

6. What was Robert Ingersoll’s stance on religion and the separation of church and state, according to "The Great Agnostic"?

• Secular Constitution Advocate: Ingersoll argued that the U.S. Constitution’s omission of God was intentional, ensuring government by and for people, not by divine authority.
• Religious Freedom for All: He believed in absolute freedom of conscience, supporting both the right to worship and the right not to worship.
• Opposition to Religious Privilege: Ingersoll opposed public funding for religious schools and any government endorsement of religious doctrine.
• Critique of Religious Orthodoxy: He was especially critical of attempts to impose religious beliefs through law or public policy, seeing them as threats to liberty and progress.

7. How did "The Great Agnostic" by Susan Jacoby address Ingersoll’s views on science and evolution?

• Popularizer of Evolution: Ingersoll played a key role in explaining and defending Darwin’s theory of evolution to American audiences, making complex ideas accessible.
• Science vs. Superstition: He argued that scientific knowledge, grounded in observation and evidence, was superior to faith-based explanations of the natural world.
• Critique of Intelligent Design: Ingersoll mocked arguments for intelligent design, such as William Paley’s "watchmaker" analogy, as illogical and unscientific.
• Optimism About Progress: He saw the acceptance of evolution and scientific thinking as essential to human progress and the alleviation of suffering.

8. What were Robert Ingersoll’s positions on social issues like women’s rights, race, and labor, as described in "The Great Agnostic"?

• Advocate for Women’s Rights: Ingersoll supported women’s suffrage, birth control, and legal reforms to protect women from violence and economic dependency.
• Racial Equality: He condemned slavery, opposed post-Reconstruction racial discrimination, and spoke out against laws and court decisions that undermined civil rights.
• Labor and Economic Justice: Ingersoll supported the eight-hour workday, the right to strike, and criticized social Darwinism’s justification of economic inequality.
• Universal Humanism: His secular humanism led him to champion the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of gender, race, or class.

9. Why did Robert Ingersoll’s influence decline in the 20th century, according to Susan Jacoby?

• Religious Backlash: Ingersoll’s open agnosticism and criticism of religion made him a controversial figure, leading to his exclusion from mainstream historical narratives.
• Changing Political Climate: The rise of fundamentalism and the persistence of religious influence in American politics marginalized secular voices like Ingersoll’s.
• Ephemeral Nature of Oratory: As a primarily oral communicator, Ingersoll’s impact faded with the decline of the public lecture circuit and the rise of new media.
• Misconceptions About Progress: Many intellectuals believed that science and secularism would inevitably triumph, underestimating the resilience of religious conservatism.

10. How does "The Great Agnostic" compare Ingersoll’s approach to religion with that of today’s "New Atheists"?

• No Distinction Between Atheist and Agnostic: Ingersoll saw little difference between atheism and agnosticism, emphasizing the limits of human knowledge about the divine.
• Engagement with Religious Liberals: Unlike some "New Atheists," Ingersoll was willing to find common ground with liberal religious figures who supported science and reform.
• Focus on Popular Education: Ingersoll prioritized making secular and scientific ideas accessible to the general public, not just intellectual elites.
• Legacy for Modern Secularism: Jacoby argues that Ingersoll’s blend of reason, humanism, and advocacy for liberty remains a model for contemporary secularists.

11. What are some of the most memorable quotes from "The Great Agnostic" and what do they mean?

• "The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason." (Thomas Paine, quoted in the book) – Emphasizes the centrality of rational inquiry in combating falsehoods.
• "They knew that to put God in the Constitution was to put man out." (Ingersoll) – Argues that government should be based on human, not divine, authority.
• "Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so." (Ingersoll’s creed) – Summarizes his humanistic philosophy focused on this-worldly well-being.
• "Blasphemy is the word that the majority hisses into the ear of the few." (Ingersoll) – Critiques the use of blasphemy laws to suppress dissent and minority viewpoints.

12. What is Susan Jacoby’s main argument about the relevance of Robert Ingersoll and freethought for today’s readers?

• Continuing Culture Wars: Jacoby contends that the debates Ingersoll engaged in—over science, religion, and civil rights—are still central to American society.
• Restoring Historical Memory: She argues that remembering figures like Ingersoll is crucial for understanding the secular roots of American democracy and the ongoing struggle for liberty of conscience.
• Model for Secular Advocacy: Ingersoll’s life demonstrates the importance of courage, clarity, and compassion in advocating for reason and human rights.
• Call to Action: Jacoby encourages modern secularists and "New Atheists" to reclaim Ingersoll’s legacy