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In this new revised edition of his groundbreaking work, Professor J. Budziszewski questions the modern assumption that moral truths are unknowable. With clear and logical arguments he rehabilitates the natural law tradition and restores confidence in a moral code based upon human nature.
What We Can't Not Know explains the rational foundation of what we all really know to be right and wrong and shows how that foundation has been kicked out from under western society. Having gone through stages of atheism and nihilism in his own search for truth, Budziszewski understands the philosophical and personal roots of moral relativism. With wisdom born of both experience and rigorous intellectual inquiry, he offers a firm foothold to those who are attempting either to understand or to defend the reasonableness of traditional morality.
While natural law bridges the chasms that can be caused by religious and philosophical differences, Budziszewski believes that natural law theory has entered a new phase, in which theology will again have pride of place. While religious belief might appear to hamper the search for common ground, Budziszewski demonstrates that it is not an obstacle, but a pathway to apprehending universal norms of behavior.
"A must-read for those concerned about the state of American culture." Charles W. Colson, Chairman, Prison Fellowship Ministries
"A book that thinking people can’t not want to read." Richard John Neuhaus, Editor in Chief, First Things
"This book is meant to be thought, not just read." Michael Novak, American Enterprise Institute
"An antidote for the casual moral skepticism one encounters at cocktail parties and in freshman philosophy classes." Robert P. George, Princeton University
"This book is very much the return of what can’t be permanently repressed." David Novak, University of Toronto
Also from Spence Publishing
The Revenge of Conscience Politics and the Fall of Man J. Budziszewski
A depraved conscience is the most destructive force in political life. Though modern ideologies deny the existence of original sin, it is the source of our great social evils. Blinded to this truth, we suppress our conscience until it is corrupted and, taking its revenge, leads us to calamity. 1-890626-27-9 (paperback), $14.95
"A timely, invaluably educative book." Booklist (starred review)
"Brilliant, penetrating . . . a great book." Chuck Colson, BreakPoint
J. Budziszewski is a professor of government and philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. Among his several books are
The Revenge of Conscience: Politics and the Fall of Man and
The Line Through the Heart: Natural Law as Fact, Theory, and Sign of Contradiction. $35.90