Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson by Jennifer Michael Hecht
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Book Reviews of Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson
Book Review: great overview of many well known philosophers' skepticism
Summary: 5 Stars
I had this book for over a year before I started it. Then I started reading toward the end where the 19th century is covered. Since reading Janet Browne's 2 part biography of Darwin I've been reading a lot about the 19th century. Hecht had so many references tying the 19th century thought back to earlier periods that I have decided to go back and read the entire book. I never had the patience for reading philosophy but the way Hecht summarizes the thoughts of so many famous philosophers makes it very interesting. My only caveat is that I don't know enough about these philosophers to be able to determine if she is stretching any of her interpretations.
I am particularly enjoying her discussion of how various philosphers seem to arrive at their religious doubt. I grew up in a home where we attended church (Southern Baptist) every Sunday and did not let myself doubt and examine my beliefs until my 20's. Now I'm an agnostic and feel much more calm in this than I ever did when I considered myself a christian.
If you have an interest in the history of philosphy OR religious doubt you will enjoy this book.
Book Review: Leaving the room by the window
Summary: 5 Stars
David Hume, who perhaps more than any other philosopher raised questions about our ordinary understanding of the world - after having made his long argument showing how our ordinary understanding of causation could not be logically proven nonetheless said , "When I leave the room, I leave by the door and not by the window".
Jennifer Michael Hecht in her lengthy history of the concept of 'Doubt' , shows how it has informed and transformed the thought of a great variety of cultures.She claims that Doubt does not have negative paralyzing consequences only, but has often been the spur to world- transforming discoveries and thought. She makes a long historical survey from the pre- Socratics, and the Biblical Ecclesiastes and Job, through the Romans, and beyond until she reaches our time. She in the course of this writes about how 'Doubt' has worked to both undermine and establish the major religions of mankind. She also shows how different worlds doubt different things.
However what she does not do sufficiently is show how Doubt when taken to the extreme can undermine not only our faith in our world, and in ourselves but in the very meaning of all there is. She does not that is concentrate enough on the negative sides of Doubt, and the positive sides of Certainty.
Nonetheless this is a rich, original and informative study which those who may well doubt many of its conclusions , can nonetheless learn from and enjoy.
Book Review: GREAT
Summary: 5 Stars
This book deserves to be read and re-read. This is a powerful, fascinating and in the end surprisingly moving book. Book Review: Phenomenal read
Summary: 5 Stars
This book blew my mind..the writing is clear and the ideas are exciting. I thought it would be my summer read - but I was done in a few weeks -- I couldn't put it down. The book gives weight to the psychological, historical, philisophical and sociological aspects of the subject in a balanced and well presented format. It is a delightful read..complex without being dry for a minute. I highly recommend this book.Book Review: This is a great book, but you have to READ IT TO KNOW THAT.
Summary: 5 Stars
What's with the moron from Texas who reviewed this book while admiting that he or she didn't READ THE BOOK??? GEEZ.