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Title details for The Transcendental Temptation by Paul Kurtz - Available

The Transcendental Temptation

by Paul Kurtz
ebook
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In this landmark work, Paul Kurtz examines the reasons why people accept supernatural and paranormal belief systems in spite of substantial evidence to the contrary. According to Kurtz, it is because there is within the human species a deeply rooted tendency toward magical thinking-the "transcendental temptation"-which undermines critical judgment and paves the way for willful beliefs. Kurtz explores in detail the three major monotheistic religions-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-finding striking psychological and sociological parallels between these religions, the spiritualism of the nineteenth century, and the paranormal belief systems of today. This acclaimed and controversial book includes sections on mysticism, belief in the afterlife, the existence of God, reincarnation, astrology, and ufology. Kurtz concludes by explaining and advocating rational skepticism as an antidote to belief in the transcendental.
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Publisher: Prometheus

OverDrive Read

  • ISBN: 9781616148287
  • Release date: July 1, 2019

EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9781616148287
  • File size: 1855 KB
  • Release date: July 1, 2019

Formats

OverDrive Read
EPUB ebook

subjects

Philosophy Religion & Spirituality Science Nonfiction

Languages

English

Levels

Lexile® Measure:1190
Text Difficulty:9-12

In this landmark work, Paul Kurtz examines the reasons why people accept supernatural and paranormal belief systems in spite of substantial evidence to the contrary. According to Kurtz, it is because there is within the human species a deeply rooted tendency toward magical thinking-the "transcendental temptation"-which undermines critical judgment and paves the way for willful beliefs. Kurtz explores in detail the three major monotheistic religions-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-finding striking psychological and sociological parallels between these religions, the spiritualism of the nineteenth century, and the paranormal belief systems of today. This acclaimed and controversial book includes sections on mysticism, belief in the afterlife, the existence of God, reincarnation, astrology, and ufology. Kurtz concludes by explaining and advocating rational skepticism as an antidote to belief in the transcendental.
Expand title description text
Philosophy Religion & Spirituality Science Nonfiction
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