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Illusions dangereuses: Quand les Religions nous privent de Bonheur
Nous vivons une époque paradoxale : les extraordinaires progrès scientifiques et techniques des dernières décennies ont bouleversé notre existence, mais, dans le même temps, un fulgurant retour de la barbarie sape nos valeurs laïques fondamentales, héritées des Lumières. Religions et utopies sociales, ces illusions dangereuses constituent la pire malédiction de l'humanité; elles assaillent notre liberté de penser et de nous exprimer librement. Elles nous imposent leurs critères absolutistes du Bien et du Mal ainsi que leur foi dans un au-delà ou un avenir radieux et chimérique. Leur but est évident : nous empêcher de vivre sereinement et nous priver du bonheur quotidien. Homme ou Dieu ? Raison ou foi ? Plaisir ou ascèse ? Vivre ici et maintenant ou attendre la vie après la mort ?
Ce livre très documenté n'est pas moins un ouvrage grand public : écrit dans un style simple et accessible, il se veut un essai-coup de poing, un pamphlet choc et sulfureux pour nous libérer des fausses promesses et des mensonges qui nous emprisonnent.
Ce livre très documenté n'est pas moins un ouvrage grand public : écrit dans un style simple et accessible, il se veut un essai-coup de poing, un pamphlet choc et sulfureux pour nous libérer des fausses promesses et des mensonges qui nous emprisonnent.
- GenresReligionPhilosophy
447 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2018
41 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Vitaly Malkin
14 books9 followersVitaly Malkin (born 1952) is a Russian businessman and investor. He has been a physicist, banker and senator (from 2004 to 2013).
Malkin became interested in philosophy and history of religion while engaged in his philanthropic activities for the Fondation Era and Fondation Espoir, and from his extensive travels around the world. Living now in Europe, Malkin has fully dedicated himself to writing and to continuing his work as a philanthropist.
(text from the author's website)
Malkin became interested in philosophy and history of religion while engaged in his philanthropic activities for the Fondation Era and Fondation Espoir, and from his extensive travels around the world. Living now in Europe, Malkin has fully dedicated himself to writing and to continuing his work as a philanthropist.
(text from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 4, 2018
I had trouble with the Introduction to this book. It came across to me as arrogant and self-aggrandising. I don't really go for writing that tells me in great detail why and how they wrote it. I just want the author to get on with it! But after getting past that -- wow! I was hooked! The essential premise of this book is that, once religion came along (especially monotheistic religions), humanity lost its freedom and was seduced into rejecting everything that makes us human. In particular, religions that shunned natural human activities (eating, drinking, sex, etc) in order to "see the face of God" (ie, to become holy or to enter into the presence of the holy), have destroyed the essence of who we are and robbed us of pleasure, happiness, and our essential human nature. Vitaly Malkin is not a philosopher or theologian. But the extent of his research and knowledge is mind-blowing. He writes clearly and is a pleasure to read. It's a big book and Malkin goes into incredible detail. But its depth and breadth were fascinating and I was never bored. This is the first of a series and I can't wait for the next one.
May 23, 2020
Intensely personal, with a relentlessly analysed text, this rather hefty tome is rather beautifully produced on art paper, specifically, I would imagine, to ensure the many illustrations it includes glow within. The subject matter is more or less fully encapsulated in the sub-title of the book: “How Religion deprives us of Happiness.”
Malkin’s approach deals with mostly non-theological aspects of religion not often appreciated let alone discussed by their adherents. They represent the hard-core interpretations and applications of concepts in people’s lives provided by commentators, apologists and theologians which are presented as necessary and essential consequences of certain beliefs. It is these interpretations which the author identifies as the dangerous illusions which more than anything else contribute to (if not actually cause) humanity’s deprivation of natural happiness. These are presented in seven chapters, the titles of which can be found (unusually) at the end of the book rather than at the beginning!
I think I can be pretty sure that Malkin’s criticisms of religion are as scathing as he can possibly be; but his presentation is presented in a “kinder” format. He presents arguments both for and against certain positions in a way that seems he is agreeing with the “logic” of each. It is the immediate juxtaposition of these arguments that create an odd sense of imbalance — Malkin refers to this as his sense of sarcasm — but which can mask a number of reactions: snickering; ridicule; outrage; offence; and so on. I don’t think this approach always works (it can be a bit confusing at times) but overall it exudes a certain charm about it, and he gets away with it.
The value of this work lies in its “acceptance’ of contrasting and contradictory interpretations, each of which is particular to a specific set of beliefs. When these are placed one after another, it also reveals a rather constant theme one finds in all of them: a basic dissatisfaction with the world and with human beings as they are. This dissatisfaction often quickly degenerates into hatred and antipathy against the world and human nature in general. At their core, religions and religious lifestyles seem absolutely determined to impose unhappiness on everyone. Monks and their embracement of ascetic living is a classic example; as are the glorification of suffering and sacrifice; normal human sexual activity prohibitions proliferate (incidentally, some of the illustrations embellishing the sex sections of this book are most definitely for adults only); there is a relishing of promoting intolerance of other views and opinions; and the list goes on.
Personally I am in complete agreement with Malkin’s basic premises — only I would prefer to be more aggressive about it… We really do need to confront the toxic elements of religion more forcefully.
Malkin’s approach deals with mostly non-theological aspects of religion not often appreciated let alone discussed by their adherents. They represent the hard-core interpretations and applications of concepts in people’s lives provided by commentators, apologists and theologians which are presented as necessary and essential consequences of certain beliefs. It is these interpretations which the author identifies as the dangerous illusions which more than anything else contribute to (if not actually cause) humanity’s deprivation of natural happiness. These are presented in seven chapters, the titles of which can be found (unusually) at the end of the book rather than at the beginning!
I think I can be pretty sure that Malkin’s criticisms of religion are as scathing as he can possibly be; but his presentation is presented in a “kinder” format. He presents arguments both for and against certain positions in a way that seems he is agreeing with the “logic” of each. It is the immediate juxtaposition of these arguments that create an odd sense of imbalance — Malkin refers to this as his sense of sarcasm — but which can mask a number of reactions: snickering; ridicule; outrage; offence; and so on. I don’t think this approach always works (it can be a bit confusing at times) but overall it exudes a certain charm about it, and he gets away with it.
The value of this work lies in its “acceptance’ of contrasting and contradictory interpretations, each of which is particular to a specific set of beliefs. When these are placed one after another, it also reveals a rather constant theme one finds in all of them: a basic dissatisfaction with the world and with human beings as they are. This dissatisfaction often quickly degenerates into hatred and antipathy against the world and human nature in general. At their core, religions and religious lifestyles seem absolutely determined to impose unhappiness on everyone. Monks and their embracement of ascetic living is a classic example; as are the glorification of suffering and sacrifice; normal human sexual activity prohibitions proliferate (incidentally, some of the illustrations embellishing the sex sections of this book are most definitely for adults only); there is a relishing of promoting intolerance of other views and opinions; and the list goes on.
Personally I am in complete agreement with Malkin’s basic premises — only I would prefer to be more aggressive about it… We really do need to confront the toxic elements of religion more forcefully.
October 17, 2022
The author is not at all open to points of view different from his own and ignores how religion might be beneficial for some people. And I'm not even religious myself. Besides, he is the Russian Oligarchs with a controversial past. I do not recommend.
February 3, 2023
Malkin seemed to match the worst in religion; judgment of others, self-righteousness, and a blinkered narrow approach, while failing to match the best of religion; empathy, compassion, understanding, forgiveness. It’s a shame that an otherwise intelligent man should leave as one of his main legacies a book containing so much gratuitously hateful and childish sarcasm against his fellow human beings. I can only hope it’s not an approach widely adopted by fair minded people on both sides of the philosophical divide, however human nature being what it is, don't hold your breath.
January 14, 2023
I don't understand the high ratings for this book - really. You can't learn anything specific about the philosopher's thought from the book.
The book is definitely NOT for busy people who read in a hurry, despite the really light form, and certainly not for people without at least basic knowledge of philosophy and religion.
The book is definitely NOT for busy people who read in a hurry, despite the really light form, and certainly not for people without at least basic knowledge of philosophy and religion.
March 23, 2023
The 500-page philosophy book called Dangerous Illusions. Essentially the book is a polemic against religion. Enjoy life while you can is the message: there ain’t no after-life. They call him the heir or reincarnation of Nietzsche. The book does not address any aspects of the spirituality of religion or faith. This is pure nichilism. I do not recommend!
May 10, 2023
I don't like the idea of this book. The author, despite being an atheist, enumerates, presents and discusses what we lose when we give up religion. But on what basis? Malkin is only referring to religion, not faith as faith. Unfortunately, the author's knowledge is lacking.
December 2, 2018
(German Edition)
Das Anliegen des Autors ist lobenswert, aber seine Argumentation über weite Teile billig bis primitiv.
Das Anliegen des Autors ist lobenswert, aber seine Argumentation über weite Teile billig bis primitiv.
December 8, 2022
primitive arguments - no solid conclusions
January 24, 2023
The author forcefully positions himself as a supporter of Nietzsche, and he has no idea about it. Trivial conclusions, lots of banalities. It's impossible to read.
March 7, 2023
Unimpressed Hitchens book is better
May 10, 2023
I have a constant admiration for Malkin's erudition, but reading these essays is intellectual torture.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews