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david611's review against another edition
4.0
A book on philosophical ideas which attempts to answer the age old question of Who Man Is?
Taken from the perspective of the Bible, Abraham Joshua Herschel provides his philosophical thoughts on Who is Man, his being as a human being, and also his ability (and the need) to being human.
Some of the topics that are dealt within the book (these are the names of sections that compose six chapters)[truly, I wish I could compose my own writing here, but am in no good position intellectually to do it for now, so kindly excuse me over it]: To think of man in human terms; Do we live what we are? ; Self-knowledge as part of our being human; The self as a problem; The logic of being human; Definitions of man; What do we seek to know? ; What is being human? ; The necessary components which constitute the essence of being human; The dimension of meaning; The essence of being human; Being and meaning; Being and living; Meaning in quest of man; Transcendent meaning; How to live; To be is to obey; Continuity; Being-challenged-in-the-world; Requiredness; The experience of being asked; Embarrasment; Celebration, etc
The book is pretty well written. There are quite a few things to learn and apply in real life, obviously from such a book. At some of the times I was amazed of the content of the writing. While at other times I could not agree with what was written, being a much-thinking soul that my self tends to be. :P
The book, I feel, could be more easily accepted by a theist, but not by an agnostic. But that is it! To a thinking agnostic with an open mind, the book provides lots of material to ponder upon.
More problem occurs when the content is compared with ideas previously held in one's mind from an Eastern Philosophical outlook, or even a spiritual approach. However still, there was quite a lot to learn and contemplate from this book.
Taken from the perspective of the Bible, Abraham Joshua Herschel provides his philosophical thoughts on Who is Man, his being as a human being, and also his ability (and the need) to being human.
Some of the topics that are dealt within the book (these are the names of sections that compose six chapters)[truly, I wish I could compose my own writing here, but am in no good position intellectually to do it for now, so kindly excuse me over it]: To think of man in human terms; Do we live what we are? ; Self-knowledge as part of our being human; The self as a problem; The logic of being human; Definitions of man; What do we seek to know? ; What is being human? ; The necessary components which constitute the essence of being human; The dimension of meaning; The essence of being human; Being and meaning; Being and living; Meaning in quest of man; Transcendent meaning; How to live; To be is to obey; Continuity; Being-challenged-in-the-world; Requiredness; The experience of being asked; Embarrasment; Celebration, etc
The book is pretty well written. There are quite a few things to learn and apply in real life, obviously from such a book. At some of the times I was amazed of the content of the writing. While at other times I could not agree with what was written, being a much-thinking soul that my self tends to be. :P
"The man of our time is losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating, he seeks to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, and act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state - it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle. Entertainment is a diversion, a distraction of the attention of the mind from the preoccupation of daily living. Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions.
Celebration is an act of expressing respect or reverence for that which one needs or honors. In modern usage, the term suggests demonstrations, often public demonstrations, of joy and festivity, such as singing, shouting, speechmaking, feasting, and the like. Yet what I mean is not outward ceremony and public demonstration, but rather inward appreciation, lending spiritual form to everyday acts. Its essence is to call attention to the sublime or solemn aspects of living, to rise above the confines of consumption.
To celebrate is to share in a greater joy, to participate in an eternal drama. In acts of consumption the intention is to please our own selves; in acts of celebration the intention is to extol God, the spirit, the source of blessing."
The book, I feel, could be more easily accepted by a theist, but not by an agnostic. But that is it! To a thinking agnostic with an open mind, the book provides lots of material to ponder upon.
More problem occurs when the content is compared with ideas previously held in one's mind from an Eastern Philosophical outlook, or even a spiritual approach. However still, there was quite a lot to learn and contemplate from this book.
caractacus's review against another edition
4.0
"Animals are content when their needs are satisfied; man insists not only on being satisfied but also on being able to satisfy, on being a need not simply on having needs. Personal needs come and go, but one anxiety remains: Am I needed? There is no human being who has not been moved by that anxiety."
micahwimmer's review against another edition
5.0
This little volume is probably the best introduction to Heschel's theology available. I mean, Man is Not Alone and God in Search of Man are far more comprehensive and in-depth, but for someone who just wants to get their feet a little bit wet and still understand Heschel's thought, this is the book to read as it covers most of his primary themes and concerns in just over 100 beautifully written pages. Also, the last paragraph is one of my favorite things ever written: “Who is man? A being in travail with God’s dreams and designs, with God’s dream of a world redeemed, of reconciliation of heaven and earth, of a mankind which is truly His image, reflecting His wisdom, justice, and compassion. God’s dream is not to be alone, to have mankind as a partner in the drama of continuous creation. By whatever we do, by every act we carry out, we either advance or obstruct the drama of redemption; we either reduce or enhance the power of evil.”
The whole book is full of gems like that. Highly recommended.
The whole book is full of gems like that. Highly recommended.
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