The History of the Devil

By Paul Carus

Book Overview

The History of the Devil (1900) is a philosophical study by Paul Carus. A lifelong Monist, Carus sought to apply a scientific analysis to the principles of humanity's religions. Credited with bridging the gap between Eastern and Western beliefs, Carus believed that the dualism rampant in the West could be replaced in order to establish a more equitable world where difference and diversity would be accepted and nurtured, rather than suppressed. "This world of ours is a world of opposites. There is light and shade, there is heat and cold, there is good and evil, there is God and the Devil. The dualistic conception of nature has been a necessary phase in the evolution in human thought." Recognizing the need for dualism in the history of humanity, Carus sought to promote the principles of Monism in the West, believing it could lead to a universal worldview capable of uniting East and West. A positivist and pantheist, Carus believed that by pursuing "in religion the same path that science travels, ...] the narrowness of sectarianism would] develop into a broad cosmical religion which shall be as wide and truly catholic as is science itself." To lay the groundwork for this "cosmical religion," he investigates the figure of the Devil and the historical evolution of the concept of evil, which he saw as predating belief in goodness and God.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513299581
• ISBN13: 9781513299587
• Release Date: August 2021
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

devilishly good

This book was originally published in 1900. Its author, Paul Carus, was a German professor whose liberal ideas about religion offended church authorities in Germany, making it difficult for him to obtain publication there. He came to the United States and published a number of very interesting books on a variety of religious, historical, and philosophical topics. This book is as much a history of comparative religion as it is a history of the devil. We learn a good deal about Eastern religions and their basic doctrines, along with how the concept of evil works in those faiths. While the book takes a far-reaching perspective, it is not comprehensive. Little is said about indigenous African and Native American religions, for example. Dr. Carus is also sensitive to the ways in which the concept of Satan has been used by religious authorities to persecute "witches" and "heretics" and the chapters on these subjects, while understated, were painful to read. In the end, Dr. Carus takes an almost Jungian perspective, seeing evil and its personification in the Devil as a necessary part of human existence. He tends toward monism, suggesting that Satan is a shadow part of God. This book was written prior to the great evils of the Twentieth Century, and it would have been interesting to see how knowledge of say, Hitler's evil might have changed Dr. Carus's analysis or perspective. I found the book highly enjoyable and readable. Particularly interesting are the many compelling illustrations reproduced throughout the book in vivid detail.

A classic!

I have read many books on the devil over the years, and this is by far the best. It belongs in every library, Christian and Satanist alike!

DISCOURSES ON THE IDEA OF DEVIL FROM PAST TO PRESENT

A wonderfully written and illustrated book takes you through the concept of devil from the ancient egypt to modern times. Paul ideas on the demonology of the christendom will keep you on the edge of your seat. A must buy classic!

Carus, Paul: The History of The Devil And The Idea of Evil

Very informative. I am surprized this book is not more popular, it should be. It is packed with information that is surprizing to most readers. Very well researched.

Controversial? I think not.

This book isn't exactly your classic bedtime reading. It's a great book, no doubt about that. But the book tells fact after fact after fact. It reads like an encyclopedia, which is why I find it difficult to doubt anything the author is stating. But again, it's a great book if your just wanting the facts. It vary rarely contains personal thoughts and feelings about the subjects. I recommend it for anyone just wanting the facts, then wanting to base their own opinions.