Reaction Paper: A.H. Maslow Religions, Values and Peak-Experiences
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| Assignment Type | Essay |
|---|---|
| Subject | Jewish Studies |
| Academic Level | Undergraduate |
| Citation Style | N/A |
| Length | 3 pages |
| Word Count | 939 |
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Reaction to A.H. Maslow’s “Religions, Values and Peak-Experiences”
From the very beginning of this book, found in the introduction, the author shows his ability to think critically on a topic no matter what his present opinion may be. I must say, while reading this book I find Maslow’s self discovery quite stimulating. The religious values he strived so hard to preserve he found himself nearly eradicating them in his efforts. For example, as stated above the introduction opens readers eyes as to the author’s realizations as to what takes priority in real life issues. The example here is the Supreme Court’s ruling on prayer in schools, and how Maslow was very much in favor of Separation of Church and State. The “patriotic” women’s group deemed the decision as anti-religious as they fought for “spiritual values.” (3). I found this quite engaging, as I am in favor of the practice of prayer in public schools, and can look into our nation’s history at our founding fathers who fought so hard to preserve their faith and create a free and independent country for us all.
In chapter five, Maslow makes reference to philosophers such as Nietzsche and Dostoevsky, their views and beliefs that “God is dead” has an unbearable effect on the values of mankind and the undermining of God. This is, in fact, true; as without the existence of God to answer to, man cannot nor will he want to have any type of self assessment and there is no need for concern for the after effect of ill-action. This outcome only grows with time and with scientific theories as they “evolve” to this liberation of all human values and the consequences for the lack of them. Maslow makes a very good point when he states one has nothing to strive for if they lack nothing, and without religion and the spiritual values associated with it, life has no meaning nor does it have any worth. To add, the “valuelessness of society” gives one nothing to strive for in life; which is an instinctive need pointed out in chapter VI.
Maslow states that scientific theory allows so much omission of the truth, it becomes in fact, incomprehensible science; which to me, means non-sensical theories are given only half the attention these would have if they included what truly is real and existent. In my opinion, many of these “scientific theories” are the philosophical equivalent of Kafka’s “A Country Doctor” where there is no reason and no grounds even for logic. I believe what Maslow is saying in his onslaught towards modern science is that these theories and their encouragements have corrupted spiritual values and altogether, the human experience. Religion, as he puts it, has become redefined according to the new “principles of harmony”; and in these modern times can also be defined as the new “coexist” fashion. In this new, modern religion “God” can mean many things such as Buddha, Allah, or a statue of a man with an elephant’s head and this is all acceptable because of the concept of political correctness we are all expected to be bound to as Americans. Maslow saw this happening even then, as the pure and sacred religious concepts are “being nibbled at by the encroaching, naturalistic investigators” (Chapter VI). To see our beloved faith becoming hijacked by those who do not care about the preservation of the basic, purist concepts is quite disturbing indeed; not only to Maslow, but to those which now must bear the burden. Having said this, our educational system has moved farther away from moral values and more towards scientific “logic” (which is not valid in many areas as those theories are based on mere conjecture at best) leaving behind in its wake the traditions and customs of conventional religion.
To Maslow, science is nothing more than doomed, amoral technology. I do agree to some point, as I know without scientific theory morals cannot be proven nor can they be preserved. The example of this the author uses is where the Nazi party left their mark on the world through their ‘passion and belief.’ “Collections of Instrumentalities” for the purpose of good and evil as the author states reminding readers of the fallen will of mankind’s one sided ‘good intentions.’
Because science and religion can be represented together, there are commonalities which can be found and used. Stated above that scientific theories are non sensical is, in my opinion, true in many cases; but science can also be used to verify religion’s historical accounts. For instance, evidence has been found of the plagues of Egypt, Noah’s ark, The Great Flood, and so on. The nonsense comes from the scientific “solutions” to these such as tornados and earthquakes carrying old, forgotten merchant ships. The believer knows why scientists find what they do, even if science itself cannot explain the data. This is, what I believe, Maslow was stating in chapter II; and also explains it is this type of competition between science and religion which has played a key role in the lessening of spirituality, morals, values, and ethics.
In conclusion, Maslow has demonstrated deep, refined thought concerning the religious experience defined in his last chapter. All throughout the reading, one is being led through a dissemination of what has occurred to demoralize traditional values and religious customs. As Maslow states in Chapter II, “Sooner or later, we shall have to redefine both religion and science,” but this would need to be done on the same level it was created and allowed to propel out of reasonable boundaries.
From the very beginning of this book, found in the introduction, the author shows his ability to think critically on a topic no matter what his present opinion may be. I must say, while reading this book I find Maslow’s self discovery quite stimulating. The religious values he strived so hard to preserve he found himself nearly eradicating them in his efforts. For example, as stated above the introduction opens readers eyes as to the author’s realizations as to what takes priority in real life issues. The example here is the Supreme Court’s ruling on prayer in schools, and how Maslow was very much in favor of Separation of Church and State. The “patriotic” women’s group deemed the decision as anti-religious as they fought for “spiritual values.” (3). I found this quite engaging, as I am in favor of the practice of prayer in public schools, and can look into our nation’s history at our founding fathers who fought so hard to preserve their faith and create a free and independent country for us all.
In chapter five, Maslow makes reference to philosophers such as Nietzsche and Dostoevsky, their views and beliefs that “God is dead” has an unbearable effect on the values of mankind and the undermining of God. This is, in fact, true; as without the existence of God to answer to, man cannot nor will he want to have any type of self assessment and there is no need for concern for the after effect of ill-action. This outcome only grows with time and with scientific theories as they “evolve” to this liberation of all human values and the consequences for the lack of them. Maslow makes a very good point when he states one has nothing to strive for if they lack nothing, and without religion and the spiritual values associated with it, life has no meaning nor does it have any worth. To add, the “valuelessness of society” gives one nothing to strive for in life; which is an instinctive need pointed out in chapter VI.
Maslow states that scientific theory allows so much omission of the truth, it becomes in fact, incomprehensible science; which to me, means non-sensical theories are given only half the attention these would have if they included what truly is real and existent. In my opinion, many of these “scientific theories” are the philosophical equivalent of Kafka’s “A Country Doctor” where there is no reason and no grounds even for logic. I believe what Maslow is saying in his onslaught towards modern science is that these theories and their encouragements have corrupted spiritual values and altogether, the human experience. Religion, as he puts it, has become redefined according to the new “principles of harmony”; and in these modern times can also be defined as the new “coexist” fashion. In this new, modern religion “God” can mean many things such as Buddha, Allah, or a statue of a man with an elephant’s head and this is all acceptable because of the concept of political correctness we are all expected to be bound to as Americans. Maslow saw this happening even then, as the pure and sacred religious concepts are “being nibbled at by the encroaching, naturalistic investigators” (Chapter VI). To see our beloved faith becoming hijacked by those who do not care about the preservation of the basic, purist concepts is quite disturbing indeed; not only to Maslow, but to those which now must bear the burden. Having said this, our educational system has moved farther away from moral values and more towards scientific “logic” (which is not valid in many areas as those theories are based on mere conjecture at best) leaving behind in its wake the traditions and customs of conventional religion.
To Maslow, science is nothing more than doomed, amoral technology. I do agree to some point, as I know without scientific theory morals cannot be proven nor can they be preserved. The example of this the author uses is where the Nazi party left their mark on the world through their ‘passion and belief.’ “Collections of Instrumentalities” for the purpose of good and evil as the author states reminding readers of the fallen will of mankind’s one sided ‘good intentions.’
Because science and religion can be represented together, there are commonalities which can be found and used. Stated above that scientific theories are non sensical is, in my opinion, true in many cases; but science can also be used to verify religion’s historical accounts. For instance, evidence has been found of the plagues of Egypt, Noah’s ark, The Great Flood, and so on. The nonsense comes from the scientific “solutions” to these such as tornados and earthquakes carrying old, forgotten merchant ships. The believer knows why scientists find what they do, even if science itself cannot explain the data. This is, what I believe, Maslow was stating in chapter II; and also explains it is this type of competition between science and religion which has played a key role in the lessening of spirituality, morals, values, and ethics.
In conclusion, Maslow has demonstrated deep, refined thought concerning the religious experience defined in his last chapter. All throughout the reading, one is being led through a dissemination of what has occurred to demoralize traditional values and religious customs. As Maslow states in Chapter II, “Sooner or later, we shall have to redefine both religion and science,” but this would need to be done on the same level it was created and allowed to propel out of reasonable boundaries.