The Angels and Us

by Mortimer J. Adler

Book Overview

Mortimer Adler has always been ahead of his time. In 1982, before the current revival of interest in angels, Dr. Adler published The Angels and Us, an engaging look at the various images and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0020300654
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Touchstone
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Angels for Both the Believer and the Pagan

Are there superior intelligences that we cannot see? Most people think so. It is such a shared belief that when Abraham Lincoln (for example) counseled that we should be governed by the "angels of our better nature" we generally accept the statement with demur. But, how can we prove angels exist? America's philosopher tackles the problem and gives us food for thought as well as instructing us in the methods of philosophical inquiry. First, Adler frames his inquiry as a matter of religious faith, and suggests that this primary inquiry be restricted to religious beliefs. Theological inquiry is one key discipline that lays claim to truth. The other two are science and philosophy itself. Then Adler moves on to a philosophical inquiry about angels. Are they even possible? If we entertain the premise that they are indeed possible, what are they like? And, away we go. And what a wondrous trip it is! We even delve into man as angel (Pascal observes: "Man is neither angel nor brute, and the unfortunate thing is that he who would act as an angel acts as a brute.") There is much more, indeed much grist for the mill of the believer and much mental exercise for the pagan.

A philosopher lends dignity to the subject of angels.

In contrast to the current spate of "warm and fuzzy" books on angels, most of which are pablum, the subject of angels is given serious consideration by an eminent philosopher. Mortimer Adler reminds us that there is a long tradition of philosophers writing on angels, including great Medieval philosophers & theologians such as Thomas Aquinas, as well as more recent figures such as Francis Bacon and John Locke. In this book, Adler writes lucidly, logically, and with scholarship. It is simply the best book on angels I've read thus far--and I have read some 20 books. Adler has restored dignity to angels who, as described in the Old Testament, are NOT cute little cherubs. Nor are they the ethereal uber-feminine creatures depicted in contemporary gift stores. Instead, they are extremely powerful and awesome beings. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a serious treatment of the subject.

Angels of Substance instead of the Warm and Fluffy Variety

Mortimer Adler was one of the most prolific and outstanding twentieth century realist philosophers of the Aristotelian school. He wrote on subjects as diverse as the existence of God, the idea of freedom, the nature of man, capitalism, war and peace, poverty, education, language, and the nature of philosophy itself. In this book he speculates on the existence and nature of angels; beings he defines as minds without bodies. Knowing that his peers consider such a topic quaint at best, Ader nonetheless gives serious thought to the idea of angels. He realizes that for most scoffers the question never rises much above the level of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Yet there is a great deal more to be gained from this inquiry than mere mental exercise. The answers one gives to the possibility and nature of angels has ramifications on one's understanding of the relationship of the mind to the brain, the immortality of the soul, even the nature-nurture debate over human behaviour. Adler admits that the actual existence of angels cannot be rationally demonstrated in the same manner as God's existence since angels are not logically necessary beings. But given philosophical evidence for the existence of God the theological possibility of angels becomes tenable. If God exists He could create such beings as angels. Christians, Jews and Muslims claim revelation affirms their existence. In the Great Chain of Being, that moves from inanimate to animate objects, from the universe of the purely physical to that of the purely spiritual, their existence seems fitting. Adler deals with angels as objects of religious belief (i.e. the reason God might have created angels, the hierarchy or 'choir' of angels, the mission of angels, fallen angels, etc.) and as objects of philosophical thought (i.e. materialist arguments against spiritual realities, the plurality of angelic species, their relationship to space and time, how they love, how they communicate). Finally Adler deals with angelic fallacies implicit in modern thought (for example the two extremes of the Platonic and materialist concept of man). Overall this book makes an illuminating and intelligent read. Its major drawback is the same as with most of Adler's books --- his dry style of writing. I suspect he wants explanation and argument to convince not finesse or style. In this he follows the lead of Aristotle and Aquinas. This makes for a clear and seemingly dispassionate presentation but also a somewhat dull read. For those with an interest in the idea of angels this book illuminates with reason a topic where warm feelings and fuzzy thinking generally prevail.

A philosopher's explanation of how angels must exist!

Prolific philosopher Mortimer Adler takes on a subject few philosophers dare to tackle. Can it be proven by reason alone that angels actually exist? Adler does an excellent job of evaluating the history of religious and philosophical thought about angels. He leads the reader through reasons by which a belief in angels makes sense! The scholarly approach may be difficult reading for some, but the fascinating subject and his reasoning are worth the effort