What is it about?
The primary mode of knowledge that shapes world-wide governance emerged in the 17th century during the European “Age of Enlightenment” and spread to all other continents through colonization and globalization. While acknowledging the value of prevailing science, various notable critiques have challenged the presumption that it is the only valid model for gathering knowledge. A major feature of Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s distinguished scholarship is his compelling argument that diminishing the sacred has profoundly impoverished science. He asserts that the Enlightenment’s dominant framework has reduced the understanding of the vital connection between divinity, humanity and nature. This has led to dehumanization and unprecedented destabilization in the cosmos. Whereas selfishness and unkindness have long been part of human nature, they have been given intensified expressions in the last few centuries and are overwhelming society. Technical developments based on prevailing science have mechanized inhumanity and have accelerated acts of cruelty. Greed has been heightened to an unprecedented level in a secularized world that has put aside the higher purpose of existence. Nasr sees compassion as vital to the functioning of society and economy. He says that “eternal wisdom, or sophia … alone can provide for us, in this period of darkness and confusion, the light of harmony based on principial knowledge and the warmth of compassion and love of the other.”
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Why is it important?
Our world celebrates progress but the earth falls behind. Science eradicates diseases but the planet grows sicker. The rich become richer but the poor become poorer. Participation fosters democracy but corruption corrodes justice. Telecommunication enables contact but ignorance impedes communication. Information saturates databanks but wisdom eludes people. Humanity seeks fellowship but inhumanity incites hatred.
Perspectives
Writing this article is the fulfillment of a long-term aspiration which began to take shape some 50 years ago when I read Nasr's book, The Encounter of Man and Nature. It was a profound plea to recognize the incalculable loss that we have suffered in severing the precious link between the sacred, humanity and nature. Time has only made this clarion call more urgent as we stand at the precipice of environmental catastrophe and a vastly intensified level of cruelty to human beings.
Karim Karim
Carleton University
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This page is a summary of: Desacralization and Dehumanization, July 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004734951_040.
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