Philosophy & Religion
Click links to check availability.
by Karen Armstrong (Get the Book)
The relationship of
religion and violence arose, Armstrong relates, as nomadic hunter-gatherers
settled into agrarian communities that developed a system in which protectors
kept peons at work, especially to produce more than the community needed—wealth
that the protectors controlled with the same violence exerted against alien
thieves. The religion of nomads was adapted to apologize for this
master-and-subject structure of agrarian society, thereby inextricably
entwining religion and politics. Eventually, though, in each major religion, a
reaction set in, reaffirming the egalitarianism of hunter-gatherer society
through mutual pacific love. The first part of this—characteristically for
Armstrong—sweeping history traces that development and that reaction in Mesopotamia,
India, China, and among the Hebrews. Reaction continues as the theme of the
second part, examining the challenges of Jesus and Muhammad to the systemic
violence of empires and the ethical crippling of Christianity and Islam as they
were incorporated into empires. The third part, covering modernity, reports the
conceptual separation of religion from the state, the emergence of secularism,
and the battles seemingly between religion and secularity in our own time, in
which secular movements have proved as violent as religious ones, and religion
is often only opportunistically claimed to inspire a violent political
movement, for instance, al-Qaeda. Armstrong again impresses with the breadth of
her knowledge and the skill with which she conveys it to us.
by Kurt M. Jordan (Get the Book)
Too often in life, we see only what we are conditioned to see. Influenced by our parents, environment, education, religious beliefs, mass media, or society in general, these narrow-minded perspectives limit our growth and prevent us from truly connecting with others. In his guidebook Thoughts for a New Perspective, an innovative transformational leader shares fascinating insight on how to remove our blinders, open our minds to a new way of thinking, and ultimately find a new perspective on life. Through a unique roadmap filled with over eight hundred transformational thoughts, Kurt Jordan leads others through an introspective process that opens the mind to think about God in a new way, encourages a look inward to find the answers to a variety of questions about life, offers a new outlook on relationships and love, and shares guidance on how to connect with our spirit in order to discover who we really are deep inside. (Publisher)
by Edward O. Wilson (Get the Book)Eloquent and caring biologist and humanist Wilson posits that it is our limited biological understanding of our now dominant species that induces us to unthinkingly destroy the biosphere and, therefore, ourselves even as we're developing genetic technologies that will allow us to direct our own evolution. To gain the knowledge we need to navigate these dilemmas, Wilson argues, we must unite the humanities and the sciences to develop a deeper form of history that embraces both biology and culture. In this collection of rigorous yet lyrical essays, themselves models of the science-humanities fusion he envisions, Wilson extends his in-depth analysis of our complex, competitive social behavior launched in The Social Conquest of Earth (2012), nimbly discussing the evolutionary sources of our inborn turmoil. Homo sapiens is an innately dysfunctional species, Wilson avers, due to what he defines as the Paleolithic Curse, genetic adaptations that once helped us thrive but now hold us back. Wilson's suggested solutions to our paradoxical predicaments are firmly rooted in science and finely crafted with tonic common sense, unusual directness, and no small measure of valor. --Booklist
by Henry J. Nouwen (Get the Book)This extended meditation on the biblical story of the prodigal son is full of insight. Nouwen's inspiration was a portion of Rembrandt's painting depicting the return of the younger son. As he discusses the painting and its subject, the reader is able to visualize the canvas and become, with Nouwen, each of the characters in the story. His understanding of the aspects of his own character that mirror the humility and hope of the younger son, the anger of the elder, and the patient forgiveness of the father is remarkable. Everyone should be this honest when they encounter others. This is a book that can be read again and again. --Booklist
by Matt Chandler (Get the Book)
Defining marital love as the mingling of souls, Chandler (The Explicit Gospel) proceeds to chart a course through the narrative poetry of the Song of Solomon. Using the Old Testament's "book of love" as guide, Chandler leads couples (and singles looking for love) along the path of "a gospel-centered marriage," through the stages of attraction, dating, courtship, engagement, marriage-all the way to sitting on the back porch with the grandkids around. The book's advice is unapologetically counter to prevailing notions of love, dating, and marriage, firmly entrenched in a complementarian and neo-Calvinist view of sexuality. Chandler's vision of God's design will leave many people wondering if they can aspire to such heavenly standards in earthly relationships. Still, he is gentle with his rebuke, giving relevant, humorous, and eminently practical advice. Conservative Christians will find Chandler's words on continuously kindling the fires of love hopeful and helpful. Others may also glean some advice from a guy who sounds like he is there in the trenches with you. --Publisher's weekly
by Jennifer Michael Hecht (Get the Book)
Hecht (New School Univ., NYC) offers an interesting, well-crafted history of Western philosophical thought on suicide. Unlike most other books on the topic, this one defends two longstanding (but often forgotten) arguments against suicide: that we owe it "to society at large," and "to our future selves" to "stay." The persuasive force of these arguments is bolstered by limiting the context to "despair suicide," but not necessarily to "end-of- life management." Thus, most of the contemporary biomedical debate over physician-assisted suicide is avoided. Critics will point out that both arguments assume that the collective and individual benefits of "staying" necessarily outweigh the future costs. Hence, many critics would argue that suicide is inexorably contextual and not amenable to "one-size-fits-all" arguments. This book is recommended for a general audience, especially those who may be vulnerable to despair suicide. For a more rigorous book that covers the deep philosophical issues associated with suicide, see Michael Cholbi's Suicide: The Philosophical Dimensions (CH, Mar'12, 49-3784). --Choice
by Michael Shermer (Get the Book)
Despite the Twin Towers terrorist attacks and the Rwandan genocide, Shermer discerns moral progress in the last quarter century. Evidence of that progress inheres in statistics limning a global decline of lethal violence and a global proliferation of the rights of women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and increasingly even animals. Shermer attributes this progress to the triumph of scientific reasoning and the retreat of religious dogma. To be sure, Shermer is more willing than some New Atheists to recognize that faith can foster volunteerism and generosity. But he still regards piety as a retrograde social influence, incapable of leading the way into an enlightened future. That future, he assures readers, is already unfolding as secular thinkers promulgate a rational morality premised on the principle of interchangeable perspectives, granting special privileges to none but affording equal protection to all. What Shermer calls his protopian theorizing will persuade few who draw their moral precepts from scripture, tradition, or group loyalty. But at a time of widespread cultural ferment, such theorizing will spark keen interest. --Booklist
by Hubert Wolf (Get the Book)
As if the current controversies brewing in the Roman Catholic Church aren't enough, a church historian reaches back in time, unearthing a religious scandal of epic proportions. When German princess Katharina Von Hohenzollern joined the convent of Sant'Ambrogio in Rome in the mid-nineteenth century, she became privy to the convent's salacious secrets, including heresy, sexual abuse, and bizarre lesbian initiation rituals. Eventually perceived as a threat by other convent members, especially Maria Luisa, the convent's beautiful but deranged mistress of novices, she became a target for murder. After surviving several poisoning attempts, she made her escape with the assistance of her cousin, the bishop of Edessa and a confidant of Pope Pius IX. In this meticulously researched account, Wolf unravels the case, the ecclesiastical inquiry, and the aftermath of this disgraceful episode. Religion, sex, and politics reader interest should be high. --Booklist
by Christian Piatt (Get the Book)
Any book, not least an ostensibly Christian one, that announces its plan to "piss you off" promises to be provocative. Piatt (PregMANcy) delivers on his disconcerting promise as he calls out Christianity for what he sees as its "seven deadly scandals" (pride, certainty, lust, greed, judgment, fear, and envy) and invites everyone to imagine a more humble, faithful, loving, charitable, merciful, courageous and just future. Piatt pulls no punches in his postmodern verdict against Western Christianity, and his analysis of the "post-Christian" moment should touch a nerve among progressives and traditionalists alike. Piatt is an expert at deconstructing false precepts, false practices, and prejudices of all sorts. Still, while he criticizes Christendom's mistaken sense of cultural hegemony, he leaves too many of his readers of faith standing foundationless and asking nervously, "Now what?" That may be exactly what the author wants. Instead of offering pat remedies to Christianity's ills, he invites readers on a Kerouac-style journey of faith on the road with others who are preoccupied with similar questions and are comfortable living, and dying, with them. --Publisher's Weekly
by Sarah Napthali (Get the Book)
What do motherhood and the concept of self-reliance have in common with Buddhist philosophy? In a familiar, conversational style, Napthali, a mother and a Buddhist writer, thoughtfully explores this question, teaming Buddhist teachings (e.g., to be truthful, compassionate, and tolerant) with the ordinary experiences of mothers. She aims to convey the message that developing inner resources will help women nurture themselves so that they may parent wisely and well. With simple instructions for meditative practice and a one-minute breath meditation, the author guides busy women in the art of transforming their lives in the midst of chaos. She asks good spiritual questions, too-the real strength of the book-e.g., How am I interpreting a given situation? Am I upset due to unsolved family issues? One criticism is a lack of illustrations. Ultimately, what readers learn is that treating our children as though they are respected parts of ourselves hastens compassion toward others in our inner circle, rewarding us with less isolation and loneliness in our daily lives. For all public libraries in a category bridging self-help and comparative religion. --Library Journal
