Prolific philosopher-author (Intellect: Mind Over Matter, p. 147;
Reforming Education, 1989, etc.) Adler, who also serves as chairman
of the board of editors for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, butts his
head in vain against the vexing problem of the plurality of world
religions. What should we do, asks Adler, when faced with
apparently contradictory faiths, each of which claims to possess
absolute truth? Pluralism is desirable in matters of taste (skirt
length, cuisine, etc.) but "intolerable" in matters of intellect;
following the argument of Thomas Aquinas, Adler insists that the
"unity of truth" must reign. After distinguishing between mythology
and religion - and providing a skewering of Joseph Campbell's
reductionism, as well as gentler stabs at Hans Kung, Harvey Cox,
and Wendy Doniger - he turns to the East and proceeds to fall flat
on his face. Eastern thinkers, he says, must accept the
"transcultural" truths of Western logic, just as they accept the
truths of Western technology. By this criterion, Adler rejects the
"logical and factual truth" of Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism,
Shintoism, Jainism, and Taoism. His error seems two-fold: first, an
inflation of Western logic into absolute truth, although Eastern
philosophers have developed their own independent and highly
sophisticated logical systems; second, an inability to recognize
the possibility of paradox, the idea (upheld by many giants of
Western theology) that at the heart of truth lies the marriage of
opposites, forever beyond the reach of logic. Wonderful in its
incidentals - which include some sensible comments on the
widespread misapplication of quantum theory to everyday life - but
hollow at the core. (Kirkus Reviews)
Continuing his exploration of the philosophical questions and
doubts plaguing civilization today, Dr. Mortimer J. Adler explores
where the truth lies in religion and the effects of diversity among
religions. Truth in Religion is the product of Dr. Mortimer J.
Adler's search for a resolution to the age-old conflict between
logic and faith. Aiming to discover where the truth lies among the
plurality of the world's organized religion, Dr. Adler explores the
philosophy of religion and its true meanings among civilization as
dictated by the principle of the unity of truth.
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