The_Transcendental_Temptation

<i>The Transcendental Temptation</i>

The Transcendental Temptation

Book by Paul Kurtz

The Transcendental Temptation: A Critique of Religion and the Paranormal is a 1986 book by the philosopher Paul Kurtz.[1] The book was published by Prometheus Books, a company founded by Kurtz in 1969.

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Summary

Kurtz analyzes the bases of religion: how provable are the claims of the famous prophets who founded religion in their name: Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, Ellen G. White and others? He asks what the prospects are for developing a humanistic society based on scientific and humane foundations.

The book considers several aspects of religion including the existence of God, belief in the afterlife, reincarnation, mysticism, astrology and ufology; he concludes by directing the reader towards rational skepticism.[2]

Reception

In the award of the Norton Medal (endowed by Charles Phelps Norton) to Kurtz in 2001, The Transcendental Temptation was noted, amongst Kurtz's other contributions to secular humanism, as a seminal work on the topic. The award also noted Kurtz's founding of the Center for Inquiry.[3]

References

  1. [1]
    GoodReads website, The Transcendental Temptation
  2. [2]
    Google Books website, The Transcendental Temptation
  3. [3]
    University of Buffalo website, UB to Hold 155th General Commencement Ceremony May 13, article by Mary Beth Spina dated April 27, 2001


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