The Angels and Us [Paperback]

Mortimer J. Adler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1993

Mortimer Adler has always been ahead of his time. In 1982, before the current revival of interest in angels, Dr. Adler published "The Angels and Us", an engaging look at the various images and hierarchies of angels (including guardian angels). Dr. Adler, the bestselling author of "Ten Philosophical Mistakes", "Aristotle for Everybody", and "The Great Ideas", speculates on the existence of angels; why Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in angels, and the ways angels have been viewed as objects of religious belief and philosophical thought. This is a wonderfully enlightening work on the affinities between angels and human beings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mortimer J. Adler is Chairman of the Board of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Director of the Institute for Philosophical Research, and Honorary Trustee of the Aspen Institute.  He has authored fifty books.  He lives in Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (September 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020300654
• ISBN-13: 978-0020300656
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mortimer Jerome Adler (December 28, 1902 - June 28, 2001) was an American philosopher, educator, and popular author. As a philosopher he worked within the Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions. He lived for the longest stretches in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and San Mateo. He worked for Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Encyclopædia Britannica, and Adler's own Institute for Philosophical Research. Adler was married twice and had four children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Angels of Substance instead of the Warm and Fluffy Variety, March 13, 2002

By 

Lindsay (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Angels and Us (Paperback)

Mortimer Adler was one of the most prolific and outstanding twentieth century realist philosophers of the Aristotelian school. He wrote on subjects as diverse as the existence of God, the idea of freedom, the nature of man, capitalism, war and peace, poverty, education, language, and the nature of philosophy itself.
In this book he speculates on the existence and nature of angels; beings he defines as minds without bodies. Knowing that his peers consider such a topic quaint at best, Ader nonetheless gives serious thought to the idea of angels. He realizes that for most scoffers the question never rises much above the level of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Yet there is a great deal more to be gained from this inquiry than mere mental exercise. The answers one gives to the possibility and nature of angels has ramifications on one's understanding of the relationship of the mind to the brain, the immortality of the soul, even the nature-nurture debate over human behaviour.
Adler admits that the actual existence of angels cannot be rationally demonstrated in the same manner as God's existence since angels are not logically necessary beings. But given philosophical evidence for the existence of God the theological possibility of angels becomes tenable. If God exists He could create such beings as angels. Christians, Jews and Muslims claim revelation affirms their existence. In the Great Chain of Being, that moves from inanimate to animate objects, from the universe of the purely physical to that of the purely spiritual, their existence seems fitting. Adler deals with angels as objects of religious belief (i.e. the reason God might have created angels, the hierarchy or 'choir' of angels, the mission of angels, fallen angels, etc.) and as objects of philosophical thought (i.e. materialist arguments against spiritual realities, the plurality of angelic species, their relationship to space and time, how they love, how they communicate). Finally Adler deals with angelic fallacies implicit in modern thought (for example the two extremes of the Platonic and materialist concept of man). Overall this book makes an illuminating and intelligent read. Its major drawback is the same as with most of Adler's books --- his dry style of writing. I suspect he wants explanation and argument to convince not finesse or style. In this he follows the lead of Aristotle and Aquinas. This makes for a clear and seemingly dispassionate presentation but also a somewhat dull read. For those with an interest in the idea of angels this book illuminates with reason a topic where warm feelings and fuzzy thinking generally prevail.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A philosopher lends dignity to the subject of angels., September 4, 2003

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Angels and Us (Paperback)

In contrast to the current spate of "warm and fuzzy" books on angels, most of which are pablum, the subject of angels is given serious consideration by an eminent philosopher. Mortimer Adler reminds us that there is a long tradition of philosophers writing on angels, including great Medieval philosophers & theologians such as Thomas Aquinas, as well as more recent figures such as Francis Bacon and John Locke. In this book, Adler writes lucidly, logically, and with scholarship. It is simply the best book on angels I've read thus far--and I have read some 20 books. Adler has restored dignity to angels who, as described in the Old Testament, are NOT cute little cherubs. Nor are they the ethereal uber-feminine creatures depicted in contemporary gift stores. Instead, they are extremely powerful and awesome beings. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a serious treatment of the subject.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A philosopher's explanation of how angels must exist!, January 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Angels and Us (Paperback)

Prolific philosopher Mortimer Adler takes on a subject few philosophers dare to tackle. Can it be proven by reason alone that angels actually exist? Adler does an excellent job of evaluating the history of religious and philosophical thought about angels. He leads the reader through reasons by which a belief in angels makes sense! The scholarly approach may be difficult reading for some, but the fascinating subject and his reasoning are worth the effort