Society and the Death of God

"Humans are social, sensible to conformism, and struggling with the pasts of fathering god figures. Restivo calls for a courageous position: endorse the strong sociological-anthropological view on humans as authors of their own ideas and creations. God(s), religious institutions and undoubtable truths are part of this stock of self-created illusions. As an atheist European I was always struck by the American expression 'I belong to ...' when speaking about religious beliefs. Of course, one 'belongs': we are no hermits. The big task Restivo outlines is how to choose freely, conscientiously and with decent scientific foundation what and how to belong to. The book offers very insightful ideas and shows the necessary intellectual courage to move on this path of liberation, coupled with responsibility. Because in the end we are social, i.e. moral, beings. Against the background of many 'learned' predecessors the author shows us what a deeply sociologically and anthropologically informed thinker can add to modern philosophy."

Rik Pinxten, Ghent University, Belgium

"There have been many books deconstructing religion from a philosophical perspective, but here we have a book that does so from a decidedly sociological perspective, and it is most welcome. Hard-hitting, personal, and provocative, Restivo’s work is timely and engaging."

Phil Zuckerman, Pitzer College, USA

"In this closely argued critique of beliefs about God, Restivo ranges across theology, science, robotics, and the sociology of global history. His writing breathes with energy. If you want a contact high from a book that is intellectually alive, this is it."

Randall Collins, Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania, USA; author of The Sociology of Philosophies