Truth in Religion

by Mortimer J. Adler

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780020641407
Publisher:	Touchstone
Publication date:	04/01/1992
Edition description:	1st Collier Books Edition
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Dr. Mortimer J. Adler was Chairman of the Board of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Director of the Institute for Philosophical Research, Honorary Trustee of the Aspen Institute, and authored more than fifty books. He died in 2001.

Editorial Reviews

In this parochial, dogmatic essay, philosopher Adler ( Six Great Ideas ) argues that pluralism, while desirable in matters of taste, has no place in the realm of truth. Arguing that religious beliefs, even if beyond proof, ought to obey the logic of truth, he suggests that the major religions of the Far East foster cultural schizophrenia by compartmentalizing scientific facts and religious views. After determining that Eastern cosmological religions cannot be considered ``logical and factual,'' Adler weighs the three monotheisms--Christianity, Judaism, Islam--and indecisively posits, ``We can only say that one of these religions is truer than the other two.'' His skewerings of Joseph Campbell, of Protestant thinker Harvey Cox, and of Roman Catholic theologian Hans Kung add to the controversial nature of this devisive tract. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Distinguishing between matters of truth and taste, Adler examines the problem of truth in religion. He takes as his criterion the principle of noncontradiction. Those systems that accept a unitary logical coherence have the possibility of truth, while those that allow the existence of contradictory states of being at the same time are matters of taste, while the various Western monotheisms share the possibility of logical truth. Adler's arguments are provocative, but his understanding of Eastern thought is shallow, and he glosses over many problems in Western thought. In the final analysis, Adler begs more questions than he answers.-- T.L. Cooksey, Armstrong State Coll., Savannah, Ga.

Library Journal