In Praise of Doubt: How to Have Convictions Without Becoming a Fanatic

“A book of great practical wisdom by authors who have profound insight into the intellectual dynamics governing contemporary life.”
—Dallas Willard, author of Knowing Christ Today

In In Praise of Doubt, two world-renowned social scientists, Peter L. Berger (The Homeless Mind, Questions of Faith) and Anton C. Zijderveld (The Abstract Society, On Clichés), map out how we can survive the political, moral, and religious challenges raised by the extreme poles of relativism and fundamentalism. A book that asks and answers Big Questions, In Praise of Doubt offers invaluable guidance on how to have convictions without becoming a fanatic.

We are stuck. Both as a culture and as individuals‚ we find it much easier to articulate what we are against and find ourselves at a loss for words when we need to articulate what we are for. World−famous sociologists Peter Berger and Anton Zijderveld team up to present a profound treatment of how we can have confidence in our convictions−in such ideals as democracy‚ human rights‚ equality under the law‚ etc.−without succumbing to the radical doubts of relativism and the certainties of fundamentalism. With new lenses for seeing the influence modernism‚ relativism‚ and fundamentalism‚ they explore the roles of humor‚ doubt‚ and social norms that help us have convictions without grasping them so tightly that we become fanatical.

“We need more books like this: books that advance an argument, and do so concisely, wittily, with great learning lightly worn.” - John Wilson, editor, Books & Culture

“IN PRAISE OF DOUBT is a book of great practical wisdom by authors who have profound insight into the intellectual dynamics governing contemporary life..” - Dallas Willard, author of Knowing Christ Today

“Brilliant yet clear, highly illuminating and often humorous, this is vintage Berger spiced with Zijderveld’s philosophical perspectives. In Praise of Doubt is essential reading for people of all faiths - and not least secularists.” - Os Guinness, author of The Case for Civility

“The best parts of In Praise of Doubt explore the cultural battlegrounds where a consensus has broken down or not yet coalesced . . . Messrs. Berger and Zijderveld are optimistic: They believe that moral progress is on the march and that moderation is a virtue everyone can agree on.” - Wall Street Journal

“This is not yet another polemic arguing that religion is the source of all evil. Nor is it a simplistic homage to all-powerful reason. Rather, it’s a serious attempt to explain how to find middle ground between conviction - religious and otherwise - and doubt. . . . Berger and Zijderveld believe that doubt can serve as a type of psychic cushion between all our different certainties. It turns out that liberal democracy -- with its protections of individual rights -- is the strongest guarantor of doubt. In fact, Berger and Zijderveld argue that doubt -- especially as expressed in the idea of a loyal opposition -- is at the heart of a democratic system.”- - Los Angeles Times

“This is . . . a serious attempt to explain how to find middle ground between conviction - religious and otherwise - and doubt. . . . In fact, Berger and Zijderveld argue that doubt -- especially as expressed in the idea of a loyal opposition -- is at the heart of a democratic system.” - Los Angeles Times

”This book addresses, both broadly and individually, how to balance dedication to strong religious and moral beliefs, while simultaneously being objective and discerning. Can there be a balance between secular and religious truths, or are they mutually exclusive. Can one logically accept a philosophy that is at odds with their formal, structured beliefs? This book grapples, in a thoughtful, entertaining way with these and other meaty philosophical questions.” - Reference & Research Book News

“This book addresses, both broadly and individually, how to balance dedication to strong religious and moral beliefs, while simultaneously being objective and discerning. This book grapples, in a thoughtful, entertaining way with these and other meaty philosophical questions.” - Reference & Research Book News

“Peter Berger along with co-author Anton Zijderveld has written… the kind of book that, well, just from the cover I would have to buy it and read it. And then to see Peter Berger’s name on it, that just clinches the deal…. he is literally without peer.” - Albert Mohler, AlbertMohler.com

“One of the wonders of the modern era is that it provides so many choices. But those choices, sociologists Peter Berger and Anton Zijderveld write in their book In Praise of Doubt, can have dangerous consequences—creating not only relativists but fundamentalists, too. Nourishing doubt, they say, is the only way society can counteract those extremes and bring about moderation.” - U.S. News & World Report

“In his new book In Praise of Doubt, sociologist Peter Berger discusses the dangers of absolute certainty. He mentions the often-quoted plea of British statesman Oliver Cromwell to Scottish Presbyterians during a time of upheaval in 1650: ‘I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.’ That seems an appropriate caveat in the matter of the sanctuary as well.” - Trenton NJ Times

“In his new book In Praise of Doubt, sociologist Peter Berger discusses the dangers of absolute certainty and [quotes] Oliver Cromwell: ‘I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.’ That seems an appropriate caveat in the matter of the sanctuary as well.” - Trenton NJ Times