Audiobook Robertson, J. M. (John Mackinnon) A Short History of Freethought Ancient and Modern, Volume 1 of 2

The work investigates how humanity has struggled with conventional and traditional hindrances to the use of judgment from the earliest stages of civilization. The author traces the origins of freethought, demonstrating that critical doubt has always faced intense institutional and social resistance. The volume covers primitive cultures, ancient religions in India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, Phoenicia, China, Mexico, and Peru, highlighting the constant tension between dogmatic conformity and rational critique. Furthermore, the text addresses the psychological aspects of freethinking, refuting the notion that unbelief stems from mere moral perversity, and framing it instead as a natural variation of intellectual independence. The argument progresses through historical movements, showing how culture, economic conditions, and political power dictate the rise and fall of rational thought. Ultimately, the work serves as a comprehensive account of humanity's intellectual emancipation, providing a foundation for the ongoing battle against intellectual tyranny.