The spelling of the word "brights" can be a bit confusing due to the silent letter "gh." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /braɪts/. The "b" and "r" sounds are straightforward, but the "ai" sound is pronounced as a long "i" in English. The "gh" is not pronounced and serves only to indicate that the "i" is not followed by an "e." The "t" and "s" sounds are pronounced as normal. Overall, "brights" can be pronounced as "brites" with a long "i" sound.
Brights is a plural noun which refers to individuals who hold a naturalistic worldview, free from supernatural or mystical explanations. The term is primarily used to categorize people who maintain a secular and rational perspective, relying on the principles of science and empirical evidence to understand the world. Brights reject religious or superstitious beliefs, instead emphasizing human rationality to explain phenomena and shape their beliefs and decisions.
Brights are typically skeptics who emphasize critical thinking, reason, and the scientific method to analyze and understand the complexities of life. They are inclined to rely on evidence-based knowledge and logical arguments rather than tradition, faith, or subjective experiences. Brights place their confidence in the power of human intellect and the collective progress of scientific discoveries to provide explanations and solutions to societal issues.
The term "brights" was coined in 2003 by the authors and philosophers Paul Geisert and Mynga Futrell, aiming to create a collective term for individuals who share a naturalistic worldview. Its purpose has been to mobilize and foster a sense of community among people who might otherwise feel isolated due to their lack of belief in the supernatural. The label "brights" is intended to evoke qualities such as clarity, enlightenment, and intelligence without denigrating the beliefs of others.
The word "brights" is a plural form of the noun "bright", which ultimately derives from the Old English word "beorht". In Old English, "beorht" meant "bright, shining, or clear". The word is also related to other Germanic languages: Old Frisian "berht", Old High German "beraht", and Old Norse "bjartr". Over time, the word "bright" retained its meaning of giving off light or being radiant, but it also took on connotations of intelligence, cleverness, and brilliance. As for the plural form, "brights", it is used to refer to multiple things that are bright or intelligent.