The Tragedy Of Almightiness [Hardcover]

The Tragedy of Almightiness encircles the theme of human yearning for omnipotence, as expressed in religion and various ideologies. The central question revolves around the matter of what--in pursuing such an extreme power of the will--man seeks to achieve. While exploring the question, a thought-provoking link is made between religion and atheism; between the Biblical longing for God's promise and the Marxist appeal for man to realize that same promise. Omnipotence must vouch for the fulfilling of the promise, for justice and for man's dream of redemption. However that is not where it ends. The longing for salvation turns out to have a dangerous reverse side to it because it encourages a turning away from the actual world and the all-pervading evil. Omnipotence also facilitates the avenging of such evil. History has shown what this kind of yearning can lead to. The book demonstrates how modernity translates Biblical longings into ideologically justified revengefulness. The description of this process leads to a plea for renewed ethical purpose in life. It is a challenge that also extends to religion. Hence the reason that it is necessary to depart from the idea of omnipotence. This book convincingly shows how threatening the faith in and pursuit of omnipotence is. Obsession with power threatens the moral structure of society and the constitutional state. The author, as a philosopher, expresses an issue that politicians should also take notice of. Power remains a dangerous political temptation. --Ankie Broekers-Knol, Chair of the Dutch Senate This is a challenging book about a topic from which the former communist world has heavily suffered: omnipotence. The author gives a penetrating analysis of the concept of omnipotence. In it he incorporates his personal experience with communism. The book contains a surprising connection between the theological and philosophical roots of the concept of omnipotence. It clarifies how these ideas were the basis for an abhls,