The Idea
This claim understands the French Revolution and the Enlightenment as two moments that rearranged the sources of legitimacy. Meaning was no longer drawn from the old referent itself, but from its critique and its reconstruction on new foundations. But this does not mean that the need for meaning disappeared; rather, it shifted into another form that calls for interpretation and revision instead of unquestioning assent.
Concise Formulation
The French Revolution and the Enlightenment: they represented a transformation in the system of producing meaning and legitimacy
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This statement occupies the role of illustrative example in the book’s argument. It shows how a major historical transformation can change who has the right to interpret and who determines what is legitimate. In doing so, it supports the central idea that legitimacy is not fixed, but changes when the conditions under which we view the world and society change.
Why It Matters
The importance of this claim is that it reminds the reader that Arkoun does not equate modernity with the end of the need for meaning. Rather, he sees historical transformation as reshaping questions rather than eliminating them. This is essential for understanding his way of looking at change: freeing the sources of legitimacy while keeping the human question open.
Brief Evidence
The text understands the French Revolution and the Enlightenment as two moments that rearranged the sources of legitimacy. Meaning was no longer drawn from the old referent itself, but from its critique and its reconstruction on new foundations. But this does not mean that the need for meaning disappeared; rather, it shifted into another form that calls for interpretation and revision instead of unquestioning assent.
Reading Questions
- What is the difference between changing the source of legitimacy and abolishing the need for legitimacy?
- How does this example help us understand Arkoun’s position on modernity?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book’s material.