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The Transcendental Temptation

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Book by Paul Kurtz
The Transcendental Temptation: A Critique of Religion and the Paranormal
AuthorPaul Kurtz
LanguageEnglish
PublisherPrometheus Books
Publication date1986
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
ISBN0-87975-645-4

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

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.

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.

References

  1. GoodReads website, The Transcendental Temptation
  2. Google Books website, The Transcendental Temptation
  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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