A philosophically astute challenge to the rational supremacy of science over its spiritual rivals.
A nonfiction book makes a pragmatic case for the rational viability of a spiritual belief in a higher power.
Taylor observes that “religion has been declining, secularism has been surging,” especially among the educated classes that increasingly take their cues from the scientific community. Some in the religious community have contributed to this fate by refusing to cast their beliefs in the language of rational analysis and by often insisting on doctrinal views that are incoherent or contradictory. But the author also bemoans atheists’ tendency to adopt a different dogmatism, one no less close-minded, that refuses to acknowledge the limitations of the scientific worldview and the obvious attractions of a spiritual one, simplistically reducing religion to “superstitious mumbo-jumbo nonsense.” According to Taylor, there are opposing views regarding science and religion. He defends the position that “science and religion are potentially in conflict.” As a theoretical concern, the issue remains inconclusive. But it’s a different matter when converted into a practical issue since the goal in that situation is to make a concrete decision about one’s own good. And the spiritual life is attractive on this level—it can inspire hope and peace, provide an intelligible horizon for the search for meaning, and become a springboard to happiness and emotional health: “Spirituality is not the domain of the so-called unintelligent, superstitious, uneducated, and so forth. I sincerely hope that you have come to recognize the inherent advantages in living spiritually, but more importantly than that, I hope you choose to live a life that contributes to your own self-actualization.” Taylor’s treatment of the issue is not original—the emphasis on faith as a practical decision has a pedigree that dates back at least to the early 17th century. In addition, he tends to reduce faith to its quotidian benefits—at one point, he mentions studies that claim it helps you avoid junk food and “puts a smile on your face,” hardly the stuff of Kierkegaard. Nevertheless, he makes a compelling case that the scientific worldview—one that sees humans as “meat machines”—is inconsistent with people’s experiences of themselves and is not nearly as rationally superior as it is so often presented. This alone makes the author’s compact consideration a worthwhile read.
A philosophically astute challenge to the rational supremacy of science over its spiritual rivals.Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1803413013
Page Count: 184
Publisher: O-Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 7, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Some of Avant’s mantras are overstated, but her book is magnanimous, inspiring, and relentlessly optimistic.
Memories and life lessons inspired by the author’s mother, who was murdered in 2021.
“Neither my mother nor I knew that her last text to me would be the words ‘Think you’ll be happy,’ ” Avant writes, "but it is fitting that she left me with a mantra for resiliency.” The author, a filmmaker and former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, begins her first book on the night she learned her mother, Jacqueline Avant, had been fatally shot during a home invasion. “One of my first thoughts,” she writes, “was, ‘Oh God, please don’t let me hate this man. Give me the strength not to hate him.’ ” Daughter of Clarence Avant, known as the “Black Godfather” due to his work as a pioneering music executive, the author describes growing up “in a house that had a revolving door of famous people,” from Ella Fitzgerald to Muhammad Ali. “I don’t take for granted anything I have achieved in my life as a Black American woman,” writes Avant. “And I recognize my unique upbringing…..I was taught to honor our past and pay forward our fruits.” The book, which is occasionally repetitive, includes tributes to her mother from figures like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton, but the narrative core is the author’s direct, faith-based, unwaveringly positive messages to readers—e.g., “I don’t want to carry the sadness and anger I have toward the man who did this to my mother…so I’m worshiping God amid the worst storm imaginable”; "Success and feeling good are contagious. I’m all about positive contagious vibrations!” Avant frequently quotes Bible verses, and the bulk of the text reflects the spirit of her daily prayer “that everything is in divine order.” Imploring readers to practice proactive behavior, she writes, “We have to always find the blessing, to be the blessing.”
Some of Avant’s mantras are overstated, but her book is magnanimous, inspiring, and relentlessly optimistic.Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2023
ISBN: 9780063304413
Page Count: 288
Publisher: HarperOne
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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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