An accessible, enlightening rumination on the nature of truth.
Arand discusses the relative nature of truth in this work of nonfiction.
Though many people think of truth as something that is fixed, objective, and eternal, Arand argues that it is anything but. Rather, he posits that truth is an evolving set of circumstances tied to and affected by the myriad variables of our mercurial human condition as well as biological and cultural evolution. “I propose a view that defines the meaning of a belief as a commitment to behave—to think, feel, or act—in certain ways with respect to certain objects or events,” he writes. “Consequently, meaning cannot be understood as something fixed by metaphysical properties like essences or ends. Rather, meaning is more or less elastic depending on the relative variance or invariance of the environmental backdrop against which this evolution has occurred.” The work is divided into two sections: the descriptive “What Can We Know?” and the prescriptive “How Should We Live?” The former deals with the evolving nature of truth, and the latter, with its implications for human morality, liberty, and responsibility. Central to Arand’s description of truth is the concept of “corrigibility,” which he defines as the capability of an institution—political, economic, academic, professional, etc.—to adapt itself “to the changing demands of the environmental conditions that constitute [its] raison d’être.” Arand coins a few other concepts—e.g., “essentialism,” “telism”—to describe his ideas, but for the most part he eschews jargon, writing in simple, accessible prose that even epistemological novices should be able to follow. He bolsters his argument with examples from the history of religion, philosophy, politics, and art, always explaining these references and sometimes supplementing his points with graphics and reprinted artwork. Though his ideas may not be shattering for the well-read, they are presented in a way that makes them digestible while demonstrating their meaningful application in the real world.
An accessible, enlightening rumination on the nature of truth.Pub Date: April 11, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-5088-8381-4
Page Count: 274
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2015
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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