
Inevitability
Determinism, Fatalism, and Destiny
Leonard W. Doob(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 26. September 1988
Book
Hardback
170 pages
978-0-313-26398-9 (ISBN)
Description
Doob's central thesis is that some beliefs function mainly to help the believer cope with life's uncertainties. The coping mechanism that is the focus of Doob's book is a belief that certain things in life are inevitable. . . . Doob methodically explores the origin and nature of inevitablility beliefs, and like his pervious titles in social psychology, this is a theoretical analysis. . . . The book is well written and carefully organized but demanding to read; Doob attributes this to the inherent difficulty of the subject--he is probably right. Choice
This book examines the ways in which human beings seek to cope with uncertainty by means of doctrines that postulate degrees of inevitability. These doctrines originate in natural science, social science, philosophy, and religion. Their adequacies and inadequacies are carefully assessed, with special reference to the ways in which they deal with intervention by the very persons who would reduce uncertainty. The possibility of intervention in turn raises questions concerning freedom and responsibility that challenge people in all societies and throughout the lifespan.
This book examines the ways in which human beings seek to cope with uncertainty by means of doctrines that postulate degrees of inevitability. These doctrines originate in natural science, social science, philosophy, and religion. Their adequacies and inadequacies are carefully assessed, with special reference to the ways in which they deal with intervention by the very persons who would reduce uncertainty. The possibility of intervention in turn raises questions concerning freedom and responsibility that challenge people in all societies and throughout the lifespan.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Interest Age: From 7 to 17 years
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
432 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-313-26398-9 (9780313263989)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
LEONARD W. DOOB is Sterling Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University.
Content
The Pursuit of Inevitability The Ubiquity of Uncertainty The Reduction of Uncertainty The Scope of Doctrines The Inevitability of Intervention Society and Inevitability Doctrines Religion and Death Inevitable Challenges Notes Recommended Readings Bibliography Index