From Common Sense to The Rights Of Man: Unveiling the Age of Reason and Agrarianism

Common Sense, The American Crisis, The Rights Of Man, and The Age Of Reason - these literary works have played a significant role in shaping American history, philosophy, and political discourse. Written by Thomas Paine, a prominent figure during the American Revolution, these influential pieces championed essential principles of American democracy and critically reflected on society’s ills. Additionally, Paine's philosophical work, Agrarian Justice, addressed issues of inequality and proposed groundbreaking ideas regarding property rights. In this article, we will explore the timeless relevance of these works and their enlightening perspectives on society and governance.

The Power of Common Sense: A Revolutionary Perspective

Published anonymously in 1776, Common Sense was a pamphlet that challenged the British monarchy and advocated for American independence. With its passionate proclamations, clear language, and logical arguments, it sparked a renewed spirit of rebellion among the colonists and fueled the drive towards revolution. Common Sense famously argued for the abolition of monarchy and emphasized the importance of government by and for the people.

The American Crisis, published as a series of pamphlets throughout the Revolutionary War, further galvanized and inspired American soldiers. Its unforgettable opening line, "These are the times that try men's souls," encapsulated the urgency and struggle of the war for independence. Paine's evocative writing style, combined with his ability to instill a sense of patriotism and perseverance, made The American Crisis an influential rallying cry for the American cause.

Thomas Paine: Major Works: Common Sense / The American Crisis / The Rights of Man / The Age of Reason / Agrarian Justice

by Thomas Paine(Kindle Edition)

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The Rights of Man: An Unyielding Defense of Human Rights

Following the American Revolution, Paine turned his attention to the French Revolution. In The Rights of Man, published in 1791, he defended the revolutionaries' cause and articulated the importance of individual rights and participatory democracy. Paine rejected the hereditary privilege and advocated for a system that placed power in the hands of the people. The Rights of Man was met with both praise and condemnation, as it openly criticized the British monarchy and defended the ideals of the French Revolution.

The Age of Reason: Dissecting Theology and Revealing Rationality

Paine's The Age of Reason, published between 1794 and 1795, was a daring critique of organized religion and a proclamation of rationality as the key to understanding the world. Paine challenged traditional religious beliefs, calling for a rejection of dogma and an embrace of reason and science. His work sparked widespread controversy and even led to his social ostracization in later years. However, The Age of Reason also served as a catalyst for many to question religious orthodoxy and embrace a more rational approach to life.

Agrarian Justice: Proposing a Radical Solution to Inequality

In Agrarian Justice, published in 1797, Paine extended his societal criticism to address the issue of wealth inequality. He proposed a progressive system of taxation to fund a government-administered pension for the elderly and a one-time payment to young individuals upon reaching adulthood. Paine argued that this system would correct the imbalances created by the concentration of wealth and provide equal opportunities for all individuals.

Relevance and Legacy

Though written more than two centuries ago, Thomas Paine's works continue to resonate in modern society. The ideas presented in Common Sense, The American Crisis, The Rights of Man, The Age of Reason, and Agrarian Justice laid the philosophical groundwork for the birth of the United States, influenced revolutions around the world, and challenged deeply ingrained societal structures. Paine's words invoke critical thinking, inspire action, and remind us that the pursuit of freedom, equality, and justice is an ongoing journey.

, Common Sense, The American Crisis, The Rights of Man, The Age of Reason, and Agrarian Justice stand as enduring pillars of enlightenment philosophy and political thought. Their powerful messages continue to ignite imaginations, provoke discussions, and spur progress. The impact of Thomas Paine's writings on American society and the world at large cannot be overstated. It is crucial to revisit these works and acknowledge their remarkable influence in shaping the democratic principles we hold dear today.

Thomas Paine: Major Works: Common Sense / The American Crisis / The Rights of Man / The Age of Reason / Agrarian Justice

by Thomas Paine(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1629 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	791 pages

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Thomas Paine: Major Works.

Five selected notable works by Thomas Paine:

Common Sense (1776)

The American Crisis (1776–1783)

The Rights of Man (1791–92)

The Age of Reason (1794/1795/1807)

Agrarian Justice (1795)

Thomas Paine (1737 –1809) was an English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. He authored Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (1776–1783),two of the most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and helped inspire the patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Great Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era ideals of transnational human rights.

- Paine has a claim to the title The Father of the American Revolution, which rests on his pamphlets, especially Common Sense, which crystallized sentiment for independence in 1776. It was published in Philadelphia on January 10, 1776, and signed anonymously "by an Englishman". It was an immediate success.

- In late 1776, Paine published The American Crisis pamphlet series to inspire the Americans in their battles against the British army. He juxtaposed the conflict between the good American devoted to civic virtue and the selfish provincial man. To inspire his soldiers, General George Washington had The American Crisis, first Crisis pamphlet, read aloud to them.

- Rights of Man (1791),a book by Thomas Paine, including 31 articles, posits that popular political revolution is permissible when a government does not safeguard the natural rights of its people. Using these points as a base it defends the French Revolution against Edmund Burke's attack in Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790).

- The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a work by English and American political activist Thomas Paine, arguing for the philosophical position of deism. It follows in the tradition of 18th-century British deism, and challenges institutionalized religion and the legitimacy of the Bible. It was published in three parts in 1794, 1795, and 1807.

It was a best-seller in the United States, where it caused a short-lived deistic revival. British audiences, fearing increased political radicalism as a result of the French Revolution, received it with more hostility. The Age of Reason presents common deistic arguments; for example, it highlights what Paine saw as corruption of the Christian Church and criticizes its efforts to acquire political power. Paine advocates reason in the place of revelation, leading him to reject miracles and to view the Bible as an ordinary piece of literature, rather than a divinely-inspired text. It promotes natural religion and argues for the existence of a creator-god.

- His last pamphlet, Agrarian Justice, published in the winter of 1795, opposed agrarian law and agrarian monopoly and further developed his ideas in the Rights of Man about how land ownership separated the majority of people from their rightful, natural inheritance and means of independent survival. The U.S. Social Security Administration recognizes Agrarian Justice as the first American proposal for an old-age pension and basic income or citizen's dividend.