Freethought & Rationalism Archive

theophilus · 02-01-2002, 02:22 PM

Does anyone consider Mortimer Adler to be a significant philosopher?
I know he has done a lot of work, specifically with the Britanica Great Idea series, but I bought his book "10 Philosophical Mistakes," and I'm not impressed.

Darwin's Finch · 02-01-2002, 02:34 PM

No, Adler wasn't really a heavy hitter. I read the same book and was underwhelmed. However, give the guy his props: he did get the Great Books program going. Sadly, it doesn't seem to have had a lasting impact AFAIK outside of the U. of Chicago and Columbia.

Ojuice5001 · 02-01-2002, 08:25 PM

I've read a lot of Adler--after all, he is popular with libraries. Ten Philosophical Mistakes wasn't his best work; try Aristotle for Everybody, Six Great Ideas A Guidebook to Learning, and How to Think About God. I like him; he's readable, rational, and interesting.

jpbrooks · 02-01-2002, 10:28 PM

AFAIK Adler was a Thomistic philosopher, so his popularity is probably acknowledged mostly by Thomists.
In any case, <a href="http://radicalacademy.com/adlerbio.htm" target="_blank">here</a> is some background information on Adler.

-John Phillip Brooks

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: jpbrooks ]</p>

David Bowden · 02-03-2002, 09:27 PM

It was Adler's book "Truth in Religion" that put the final pieces of the 'faith' puzzle together for me, and made it possible for me to reject Christianity.

I also like his "How to Read a Book," and I'm fortunate to own a full set of the Great Books of the Western World... what a brain buffet!

Adler was a great advocate and model for us autodidacts.

-Wanderer

02-01-2002, 02:22 PM	#1
theophilus Banned Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,945	Mortimer Adler Does anyone consider Mortimer Adler to be a significant philosopher? I know he has done a lot of work, specifically with the Britanica Great Idea series, but I bought his book "10 Philosophical Mistakes," and I'm not impressed.

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02-01-2002, 02:34 PM	#2
Darwin's Finch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Gardnerville, NV Posts: 666	No, Adler wasn't really a heavy hitter. I read the same book and was underwhelmed. However, give the guy his props: he did get the Great Books program going. Sadly, it doesn't seem to have had a lasting impact AFAIK outside of the U. of Chicago and Columbia.

02-01-2002, 08:25 PM	#3
Ojuice5001 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A city in Florida that I love Posts: 3,416	I've read a lot of Adler--after all, he is popular with libraries. Ten Philosophical Mistakes wasn't his best work; try Aristotle for Everybody, Six Great Ideas A Guidebook to Learning, and How to Think About God. I like him; he's readable, rational, and interesting.

02-01-2002, 10:28 PM	#4
jpbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chicago Posts: 774	AFAIK Adler was a Thomistic philosopher, so his popularity is probably acknowledged mostly by Thomists. In any case, <a href="http://radicalacademy.com/adlerbio.htm" target="_blank">here</a> is some background information on Adler. -John Phillip Brooks [ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: jpbrooks ]</p>

02-03-2002, 09:27 PM	#5
David Bowden Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Everywhere I go. Yes, even there. Posts: 607	It was Adler's book "Truth in Religion" that put the final pieces of the 'faith' puzzle together for me, and made it possible for me to reject Christianity. I also like his "How to Read a Book," and I'm fortunate to own a full set of the Great Books of the Western World... what a brain buffet! Adler was a great advocate and model for us autodidacts. -Wanderer

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