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PURPOSE

WHAT EVOLUTION AND HUMAN NATURE IMPLY ABOUT THE MEANING OF OUR EXISTENCE

An insightful explanation of evolution and human nature in which religion is neither excluded nor central.

A searching overview of scientific evolution that includes a plug for a personal God.

Religion has been in decline across the developed world for several centuries, with some blaming the rise of Charles Darwin, whose theory of natural selection seemed to eliminate the need for a purpose in life. Many scientists rejected Darwin at the time, but by the 20th century, hard evidence had convinced the scientific community, if not the general public. As knowledge of life and the universe grew, there were fewer reasons to postulate a God to manage matters beyond human understanding. Wilkinson, associate director of the Yale Depression Research Program, emphasizes that, despite dazzling advances in income and health, humans are no happier. Despair, hopelessness, and mental illness—especially depression—are epidemic. Perhaps, he suggests, we are missing something. The popular (but not scientific) view casts evolution as a mindless, survival-of-the fittest process that dooms us “to live, breathe, die, and whittle away our hours in a world without meaning.” Wilkinson argues that evolution is not random, but directed, and that a true understanding requires a Supreme Being “who is benevolent, who created us, and wants us to be happy.” Except for the first and last chapters, the author rarely mentions God; rather, he provides an expert account of evolution in which altruism plays as great a role as selfishness, groups as well as individuals evolve, and Homo sapiens’ superb ability to cooperate may be the leading factor in our spectacular achievements. Among its other countless accomplishments, science has discovered the single greatest element in human health and happiness: “a good marriage and family life.” Relying on solid research, Wilkinson illuminates related topics, including free will, sex, and the elements of “a good life” and “a good society.”

An insightful explanation of evolution and human nature in which religion is neither excluded nor central.

Pub Date: March 5, 2024

ISBN: 9781639365173

Page Count: 356

Publisher: Pegasus

Review Posted Online: Oct. 3, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2023

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ROSE BOOK OF BIBLE CHARTS, MAPS AND TIME LINES

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

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THE MYTH OF SISYPHUS

AND OTHER ESSAYS

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

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