The most dangerous philosophy book (Spring 2010 edition)
For my Introduction to Philosophy course, the final question on the final exam was:
In your judgment, what is the most dangerous book we read this semester? First give a clear and sympathetic presentation of the book’s most important themes, and then explain why you think the book is dangerous.
We read six major works in the course: Plato’s Apology and Crito, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, Galileo’s “Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina,” Descartes’ Meditations, C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, and Sigmund Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents.
Of the eleven students who chose to address this question, none chose Galileo as the most dangerous.
One student argued in devil’s-advocate fashion that Plato’s Apology was dangerous because it led to a rejection of traditional religion, thereby corrupting the youth, thereby undermining the very fabric of society and its future.
Two students voted Descartes’ Meditations as most dangerous, both on the grounds that Descartes’ radical questioning raises too many doubts (one also objected that Descartes is too confusing).
Rand’s The Fountainhead was also voted most dangerous by two students, both arguing that her uncompromising portrayal of independence and integrity are unworkable socially.
Three students voted for Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents as the most dangerous book. Two took issue with his dismissing religion as childish and one focused on his rejection of happiness and optimism.
Lewis’s Mere Christianity also got three votes as most dangerous. Two argued that he presented too extreme a version of Christianity and so would turn people off it. One argued that Lewis was only pretending to present generic Christianity while his true agenda was to convert people to his particular brand.
So I hereby declare Mere Christianity and Civilization and Its Discontents to be the Most Dangerous Books in Introduction to Philosophy, Rockford College, Spring Semester 2010.
Related: What is the most dangerous philosophy book? (Fall 2009 edition)
Tags: Descartes' Meditations, Galileo's "Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina", Lewis's Mere Christianity, Plato's Apology and Crito, Rand's The Fountainhead, Sigmund Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents
Thank you Professor for your excellent Nietzsche and the Nazis documentary. My first time through has been so enlightening! Seeing the Nietzsche in the Nazis is so profound a history lesson, I have been aching to understand for years. You have done in it in 2.5 hours so thoroughly,what a gift you have brought to us.This will be my central focus for weeks to come. Best regards, John P
One question, did the Germans feels shamed by Nietzsche and have a reaction formation to become Oberman? A rhetorical question.
Ps, I vote the most dangerous book in history is the Bible.The idea that on divine authority, a loving God commands callous cruelty to millions, is a species wide schizophrenia.