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Denial of the Soul
by M.Scott Peck
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Pocket Books (1999-05-04)
ISBN: 0671010476
EAN: 9780671010478
Dewey Decimal #: 306
Binding/Media: Paperback - 256 pages
SKU: AManPro-0003232
Condition: Good
Comments: used, paperback, overall quality good to very good ; no yellowing, sunning, foxing, minimal to no evident shelf wear;; …. RiverboatSales ... audiobooks ... books ... DVDS ... (new and used) … full refund if not satisfied.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
The author of The Road Less Traveled, the bestselling and most influential book of psychiatric and spiritual instruction in modern times, now offers a deeply moving meditation on what euthanasia reveals about the status of the soul in our age. Its trenchant and sensitive treatment of the subject will define our humanity for generations to come.
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Customer Reviews
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A huge dusappointment
Rating  (1)
Date: 2010-04-15
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
am on the other side of the assisted suicide debate than Scott Peck, but I admire Mr. Peck so I bought and read his book to challenge my own thinking. Unfortunately, Peck's book was huge disappointment because while he says he is opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide, the book actually makes the case for both. For example:
1. Peck states that. "Why we die is the question from which religion springs, but to say we will never understand it offhandedly dismisses all religion." Yet, while religion used to provide an answer to the question of life's meaning and purpose, it no longer does. The history of man's relationship to God is a mosaic, an uneven tapestry which reflects man's ever increasing awareness of his finiteness in an infinite universe. Religious philosophers have generally done a good job in explaining man's spiritual needs, but they falter when they try to describe man's relationship with God. Every religious philosopher ultimately relies upon a "leap of faith" and much of their philosophy is directed at explaining why God wouldn't be God if He didn't demand a leap of faith as the final sign of devotion.
Ultimately, religion has to come to grips with the question of an after life. It is possible to lead a religious life without a belief in the afterlife, or for that matter a belief in God, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to accept any western concept of God without a belief that the injustices on earth will in some way or another be corrected in an after life. As Alan Deshowitz has observed: "I don't know whether or not there is a hereafter - and no one does. But I must commend its creator - divine or human - for solving the puzzle of how a just and intervening God can permit so much injustice in this world." Or as expressed by Harold M. Schilweis, "The injustice in this world, the suffering of good people, raises hope in the existence of another world. The world to come is a form of protest against a wretched status quo in which poverty, illness and wars crush the human body and soul."
Peck assumes the existence of an afterlife, but does not give any reason for this conclusion other than his analogy to his garden. The gardening analogy he proffers (comparing his garden, which he could not bear to destroy, to the soul God created) strikes me as a good example of viewing God through man's mirror. Reason, science, history seem to point in the opposite direction. There appear to be only two answers provided by western thought: Grace (an essentially Christian concept) and a "leap of faith."
2. Peck concedes that his entire premise assumes the existence of an afterlife: "If there is no afterlife, much of what I have been saying is rot....If there is no afterlife, there is nothing to prepare for. If our souls are not immortal, if we just die, there is no reason not to hasten our death. Cash in a bit sooner rather than later. Euthanasia would then, in truth, be the sensible solution. " And, "If I thought I'd have to wade through this crap for another three or four hundred years,. I would probably cash in my chips sooner rather than later." To base his entire theory on the assumption of an afterlife, for which he fails to make a convincing case, undercuts his thesis.
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Thank You Dr. Peck for the edgeeee....be.....cation :)
Rating  (5)
Date: 2005-07-19
This is a great book for learning and opening up your mind. There are two parts in the book that are my favorites. Reading about the people he cared so much about. Part Two in the book "Spiritual perspectives ", ...where ever you are with God this whole book will lighten your Soul and even surprise you. If you need help with pronunciation go to www.m-w.com
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Another Masterpiece By Scott Peck
Rating  (4)
Date: 2003-09-27
11 out of 12 customers found this reveiw helpful
There's a reason Dr. Peck is one of my favorite authors, and this book once more demonstrates why. Denial of the Soul is a brave and important book that carefully and objectively explores the entire issue of euthanasia from both a medical and spiritual standpoint. Frequently touching and always well reasoned, once again he has produced a masterpiece that should give the thoughtful reason plenty to digest as he or she struggles to decide for themselves how they feel about the idea of terminating a human life-especially their own. This is much more than simply a book about the pros and cons of "pulling the plug" on the terminally ill, but explores a whole range of questions regarding hospice care, suicide and mercy killing, doctor assisted euthanasia, pain management, and quality of life issues (his chapter on pain management alone should be required reading for every first year medical student and nurse trainee.) His spiritual perspective on the issue-which he covers in some depth in the second half of the book-is more subjective and problematic, but he does manage to successfully bring God into the debate, for which I consider him among the bravest of medical professionals. His no-nonsense approach and personal antidotes make this one of those books you'll be thinking about long after you've read the last words.As is true of all of Peck's books, however, I found myself enthusiastically agreeing with 95% of everything he wrote and vehemently disagreeing with the remaining 5%. He approaches the spiritual aspect of the debate from a purely liberal Christian perspective (and the political elements of it from a similar perspective) and so makes some statements that I couldn't help but challenge. For example, he considers the purpose of life to experience the emotional and physical pain necessary to mature us spiritually and, hence, considers any effort to end ones own life an attempt to short-circuit the process. He considers the dying process to be an important part of the learning process and gives many examples from his personal experiences that show the positive results of doing the "hard work" involved in dying. However, he admits himself that many people-in fact, perhaps most-seem to gain nothing from the experience and leave this world kicking and screaming, seemingly challenging the notion that the process of dying is inherently useful as a tool of spiritual growth. Also, his contention that the soul "belongs" to God since he is its creator not only clearly betrays his thoroughly Christian perspective, but is unsubstantiated by anything more than his own assumption. I was a co-creator in the creation of my sons but I never considered them my property because of it. As a consequence, I don't follow his logic in this regard. My only significant criticism of the book is the ending, in which he seems to waffle all over the place. After 200 pages of building his case, I was disappointed to see him retreat with the excuse that he was going to let the reader decide for themselves on the issue, but then I guess that's the point of any work of this nature. The decision when and how to end one's own life is a personal choice that can be made only by those who find themselves in that situation. It can't be made by religion or government or even by science, and that, after all, is the truth of all life. Peck gives us something to think about, but we must ultimately make the final decision which is, I suspect, exactly the way God wants us to play it. In any case, thank you Dr. Peck for another little gem of light to help us illuminate an otherwise horribly confused world.
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A New Perspective
Rating (5)
Date: 2000-05-31
12 out of 12 customers found this reveiw helpful
Do you fear death or the dying process? This book will address that. Are you young and in relatively good health, and have a hard time feeling compassion on people who are older and/or less agile? This book can increase your compassion and patience. Are you entering the last few years of your life and want to "finish well"? This book can help you do that. This book is for everyone; because everyone will deal with death and dying in their life. Denial of the Soul demonstrates Peck's medical knowlege combined with his understanding of people and how we deal with and fear physical pain, and this book forces its reader to think about their own mortality, grapple with it, and hopefully come to accept it. Peck shows that death isn't something to live in fear of, but that the dying process is a beautiful way to learn how to depend on other people and on God--and that the dying process doesn't have to be wrought with physical pain. It's really worth it for everyone to read this book at some point, and I would agree with the other reviewers that it should be sooner rather than later.
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Searching for the soul
Rating (5)
Date: 2000-04-09
7 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book addresses the question of euthanasia in America. It presents the spiritual issues surrounding death and life - issues which the Peck feels are not fully considered when considering euthanasia.He distinguishes between pain and suffering - how pain can and should be alleviated, and why it should not be the cause of seeking a quick death. His book is important for those who will face death, either themselves or in others. It is a brave attempt to clear the conflict regarding euthanasia.
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Retail Price: $14.45
Our Price:$2.95
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