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I have a burning need to know stuff and I love asking awkward questions.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Just Finished Reading: Why Truth Matters by Ophelia Benson and Jeremy Stangroom

This was a wonderful little book. The authors set out to present a robust defence of reason and the scientific method in the face of the modern (or indeed Post-Modern) fashion of viewing Truth as just another narrative amongst many competing and equally valid narratives. Bit by bit, chapter by chapter they demolish wishful thinking, the social construction theory of truth, Post-modernism, cultural relativism and much else besides.

Told with intelligence, wit and knowing humour this book is a delight to read. The authors certainly take no prisoners in their attack on those who would devalue the search for Truth by turning their backs on reason, logic and evidence. They show time and again with up to date (and often quite ridiculous) examples of how Post-modernist thinking has undermined the validity of reasonable enquiry. Once undermined, the search for truth becomes a ship without a rudder, charts or compass producing confusing, nonsensical and counter-productive tales of wishful thinking rather than anything even vaguely productive.

Truth matters, they say, because we appear to be the only creatures with the ability to find it out. We are the only ones who can know the difference between truth and falsehood. Being so blessed we have the duty, the obligation, to discover the truth. Likewise knowing the true state of things gives us the ability to make sound decisions in often complex situations. Imagine two Generals facing each other on a battlefield. The ‘Fog of War’ can only be penetrated by accurate information. The General that bases his strategy on wishful thinking and who rewards his spies when they present him with good news will be confounded and beaten. The General who bases his strategy on knowledge and who relies on his spies to tell him the truth no matter what it is will not be surprised by what he finds and will inevitably triumph over a less well advised enemy. This is the value of Truth. Without it we are lost in a confusing and dangerous Universe. With it we can see further and plan with confidence knowing that whatever we face will not be totally unknown.

As I said this is a wonderful treasure of a book. I highly recommended it for anyone who seeks the Truth but is unsure exactly where to find it. Go, buy it now.

4 comments:

Sadie Lou said...

Great review! I'm going to have to pick this up straight away! Next time you read something you think would interest me--drop me a line on my blog. In other words : Don't be a stranger.
:)

CyberKitten said...

Sadie said: Great review! I'm going to have to pick this up straight away! Next time you read something you think would interest me--drop me a line on my blog. In other words : Don't be a stranger.
:)

Hey Girlfriend! - *Good* to see you back. I miss you're input. I do hope you enjoy this book. It should certainly challenge you - which I know you like.

I don't *want* to be a stranger but it feels odd to drop in 'random' comments on your craft Blog..... [grin]. I miss our 'heated' debates on the Junction & here.....

I'll be reading quite a bit on non-theistic ethics over the next months & have almost finished 'The God Delusion' so I'm sure that some forthcoming reviews should interest you.....

I know how busy you are but don't *you* be a stranger either OK... [grin].

Say Hi to Hubby & the kids for me.

Sadie Lou said...

You don't have to feel weird about dropping in on my craft blog--you're my guest and I invited you there. I've been thinking of starting the junction back up again. As you might have guessed, after the whole John Shore book review--I started leaning towards folding up the blog forever--but I've been missing my blog friends really badly. I've kept in touch with Lance and Paul (Zombieslayer) and Crystal and Scott. I don't know if you remember all those guys (well, I know you know who Lance is)
Anyhoodles,
The family is doing well--I left a detailed response on Lance's last post. We're moving this weekend. I'm going to visit more, or try to anyways, and I'll make sure I debate with you more. I miss that the most!!
~Sades

CyberKitten said...

Sadie said: You don't have to feel weird about dropping in on my craft blog--you're my guest and I invited you there.

It's a date.

Sadie said: I've been thinking of starting the junction back up again.

That would be great...!

Sadie said: As you might have guessed, after the whole John Shore book review--I started leaning towards folding up the blog forever--but I've been missing my blog friends really badly.

I like it that we've all made friends with the Blog thing. The Internet rocks..!

Sadie said: I've kept in touch with Lance and Paul (Zombieslayer) and Crystal and Scott. I don't know if you remember all those guys (well, I know you know who Lance is)

Oh Yes... I remember all those guys....... I still cross swords with Scott from time to time [grin].

Sadie said: The family is doing well--I left a detailed response on Lance's last post. We're moving this weekend.

The *very* best of luck with that. Glad that the family are doing well.

Sadie said: I'm going to visit more, or try to anyways, and I'll make sure I debate with you more. I miss that the most!!

I'll look forward to that a lot. I'll do my best to visit your Craft site often too.