The Mirror of Western Inadequacies
My review of Peter Navarro's new book, The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought, How They Can Be Won can be read at Asia Times here.Book Review – The God Delusion
Perhaps it is the biologist within Dawkins that leads him to believe a parallel exists between biological cancer and similarly suspicious malignant ideological growths. While many of us wish to overlook fundamentalists with the hope they will simply go away, Dawkins fears this might not only be naïve, but irresponsible. History is full of moments when society has regressed, labeling dissent the path to eternal damnation instead of earthly wisdom. While it might be that the inherent practical nature of the American people will be offended by the objectives of religious fundamentalism, rebel and find our historical balance, we easily forget that this balance is many times found only because of the clarion call from those who ...Postmodernity & Liberalism
Because pluralism struggles to differentiate between competing moralities under the auspices of an enlightened appreciation of another’s perspective, it does a poor job of distinguishing between clearly inferior and superior moral claims. Consequently, the elevation of each person’s perspective means pluralism encourages a wholly individual understanding of truth. Such a position inevitably leads to narcissism as we descend into a world where only what I believe matters. Religious readers eager to point out the need this illustrates for divine morals should reflect on the fact that postmodernity does not emphasize reason, and in not doing so, fails to extinguish the tired argument that morals must be disseminated from above.Guanxi - The Art of Relationships
My book review of Robert Buderi and Gregory T. Huang's book Guanxi (the Art of Relationships): Microsoft, China, and Bill Gate's Plan for the Road Ahead can be read at Asia Times here.The Wal-Mart Effect
My book review of Charles Fishman's excellent book, The Wal-Mart Effect, can be read at Asia Times here.December 2005 Bookshelf
With finals in December, my time for reading was limited. Having said that, I was able to enjoy a wonderful biography on da Vinci as well as Candice Bushnell and Anne Rice's newest novels. A wonderful biography of Voltaire and a cosmology book rounded out the month. Happy New Years to everyone!Top 10 Books of 2005
This was the most formative year of my life in terms of pure intellectual development and giving voice to my questions, suspicions and ultimately allowing what I do not believe to become less central in my life's pursuit of truth. My top picks of the year include two from Ken Wilber, a biography of Thomas Jefferson, and some compelling works on the role of doubt and the proper role of reason in life.Anne Rice’s Journey Towards Faith
In Anne Rice's newest book, Christ the Lord, we have been given a book that is written in the most approachable and non-offensive of ways, which sincerely wrestles with a question too many Christian theologians refuse to acknowledge: what was it like for God to be born a man and to not know he was God? This is an honest question that Rice deserves much credit for asking. Some will luxuriate in its honesty and the questions it explores, while others will become further perplexed at a part of Christian theology that has never made sense to them – their perplexity being captured quite humanely through the narrative Rice has bestowed to us all.Book Review - Imperial Grunts: the American Military on the Ground
The argument that the ends justifying the means, is an incredible tension I have loved about Kaplan’s past work that is not present in this book. Kaplan forces a reader to take their idealism (regardless of its roots in liberal or conservative ideology) with them through the realities of the situations in the countries he has traveled in and has first-hand experience within. Kaplan is best when he is forcing you through compelling narrative into a besieged world torn apart by competing warlords, and asks you what American policy should do. Should it side with the lesser of two evils? Should it do nothing? If it does nothing it is condemned for its lack of ...September 2005 Bookshelf
Some challenging materials for September including a book on pornography, European fascism, and an interesting book on Buddhist practices. « Previous Entries Next Entries »About MysteriousFaith
“If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.”
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