logo

47 pages 1 hour read

The Age Of Reason

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1794

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Thomas Paine

The Age Of Reason

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1794
Book Details
Pages

184

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Publication Year

1794

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason is a three-part work published in 1794, 1795, and 1807, advocating Deism and rejecting major monotheistic religions by critiquing the Old and New Testaments. Emphasizing the pursuit of truth through natural philosophy (science), Paine argues that religious texts are fraudulent and promotes Deism as consistent with the spirit of the era's political upheavals. The book contains strong critiques of Judaism and Christianity that some readers may find offensive or sensitive.

Informative

Contemplative

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.3

10,905 ratings

79%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason garners mixed reviews: praised for its clear, rational critique of organized religion and promotion of deism, it also faces criticism for perceived oversimplification and historical inaccuracies. While some appreciate its bold, provocative stance, others find it repetitive and lacking theological nuance. Overall, it remains a significant, though polarizing, Enlightenment work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Age Of Reason?

A reader who enjoys The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine is likely an enthusiast of Enlightenment philosophy, rationalism, and religious critique. Comparable to fans of Voltaire's Candide and John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, they appreciate works questioning established dogmas and advocating for intellectual liberty.

4.3

10,905 ratings

79%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Thomas Paine

An English-born radical and author who is known for his political pamphlets advocating for revolutionary ideas; in this work, he explores Deism and critiques organized religion, drawing from his belief in reasoning.

A depiction of the Deist God as portrayed by Paine, who is seen as the Almighty and the Creator but not involved in human affairs beyond the creation, differing from traditional religious narratives.

Presented by the New Testament as the divine Son of God whose life encompasses miracles and resurrection; Paine approaches him as a moral philosopher but challenges his divine status and historical existence.

A central Biblical figure known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments; Paine questions the authenticity of the Old Testament, suggesting doubts about Moses's authorship of key texts.

Biblical figures recognized for their divine messages and prophecies; Paine critiques their validity and suggests that historical misunderstandings could have misconstrued their original roles as poets or musicians.

Book Details
Pages

184

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Publication Year

1794

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.