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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mr Wheen examines evidence of reason on retreat,
By
This review is from: How Mumbo-jumbo Conquered the World: A Short History of Modern Delusions (Paperback)
Casting an erudite eye over a variety of sources Mr Wheen (born 1957) has written an informative and entertaining book which sets out to examine the evidence of the statement by British Philosopher Roger Scruton that reason is now on the retreat both as an ideal and as a reality (P.7) In my own experience in my own country (Australia) I note that the third most popular course (after mandatory English, and Maths) for the High School Certificate in NSW is Business Studies. I note also that Australian Universities seem to have an orientation towards vocational or "practical courses" and that subjects such as philosophy and other "soft" subjects appear to have a shrinking student base. Philosophy, among other things, is concerned with thinking about thinking, validity, the role of a premise, evidence, logic and so on, but as H.L. Mencken noted "every man prefers what he can understand to what puzzles and dismays him" (p.111) and the acquisition of knowledge is a hard incremental slog compared to switching on the tv. Hence, it is argued, the rise of evangelical fundamentalism. In America religious superstition is about the same per capita as Bangladesh, which is surprising for an advanced industrialized country. Mr Wheen argues that it is far better for the powerless to seek solace in crystals, ley-lines, and the myth of Abraham than in actually challenging the rulers, or the social and economic systemn over which they preside (p. 193). What is revealing and alarming is the seepage that occurs between business, religion, cultish mumbo jumbo, government and educational institutions. The Clintons, the Blairs, The Reagans have all been involved in mumbo jumbo including consulting astrologers. Nor do the left escape Mr Wheen's analysis and research and are revealed as being ideological blind to Stalin, Pol Pot and as demonising the USA . The Muslim world also gets a serve or two as Mr Wheen points out to them that it was not Mohammed but the jurists of the 8/9th centuries who divided the world into the abode of Islam and the abode of war (p. 291) He also reminds them it was the Arab world which began modernization so willingly embraced by the West through Astronomy and Mathematics.
Mr Wheen's book is a refreshing and compelling read.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, but not compulsive reading,
By
This review is from: How Mumbo-jumbo Conquered the World: A Short History of Modern Delusions (Paperback)
I found this book to be a fairly enjoyable read, which showed quite well how so many people jump on the latest mind-set bandwagon without really stopping to develop their own critical opinions. Social opinion can often be like science without peer review, and a critical (perhaps even cynical) mind is often the only real defense.
Some parts of this book flow quite nicely, where the author has a clear point to make and sticks with it, but other parts feel a bit more rambling, and seem to lack focus. Also, sometimes it feels as though the author's opinions are being presented as facts, without really being backed up. This should not be taken as too heavy a criticism, as the book still contains lots of great food for thought, and I think most critical thinkers would find a lot of valuable content here, but the negatives are enough that I wouldn't put this one on my 'must-read' list.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alan Parons called it pyramidia,
By Al Coholic (Sydney) - See all my reviews
This review is from: How Mumbo-jumbo Conquered the World: A Short History of Modern Delusions (Paperback)
Mumbo-Jumbo is that specious sounding article you read the other day by that new-ager who tempts you with a re-birthing to 'let go' of the bad karma....it's the economic bastardry of the 'trickle down' effect where only those at the top of the economic pile improve their situation.
Importantly, you don't come away from this book feeling angry, cheated or alarmed - just more aware. Too many publications are out there to get 'them' - this book is out there to get 'us' - make us think and challenge us to questioin the mumbo-jumbo that pervades and sometimes becomes THE established way of thinking. An extremely worthwhile way to spend some reading time.
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