Enlightenment humanism and scientific naturalism as drivers of progress

The host expands on the role of enlightenment humanism and scientific naturalism as drivers of progress. He asserts that these principles have played a significant role in shaping the modern world and the founding principles of the United States. He argues that just as Galileo and Newton discovered physical laws about the natural world, the founders of the United States discovered moral laws and principles about human nature and human society. He contends that studying political, economic, social, and moral subjects through scientific methods leads to the discovery of truths, such as the superiority of democracies and market economies, the ineffectiveness of torture and the death penalty, and the equal capacity of women and minority groups. He concludes that moral realism does not require justification from a deity.