The Fall of Man

The book “The Fall of Man” explores the true nature of human life and is offered by the author as a book about perception and reality. The author argues that humans are currently “adrift in an illusion” and that it is necessary for everyone to return to reason. How exactly did things get like this? A hefty finger is pointed at myths. It is stated that the Garden of Eden gives people false notions of good and evil. Ideas, like a lurking devil have “helped suppress reality for thousands of years.” The reality is that humans have the ability to choose what they will do in life. It is not necessary to blame things on manifestations of evil. Nor is it essential to bow to figures who claim an elite access to God. In general, the author views religion as “the gateway to the loss of reason,” as it is so often used to create fear in believers while generating wealth and power for a few. The author provides an antidote suggesting that humans must take responsibility for their own thoughts and actions. The text is presented in a series of short chapters, some more abstract than others. Certain statements seem open to argument. In one chapter, readers are told that “groups of two or more humans gathered together cannot be reasonable,” although this claim is itself somewhat unreasonable. Surely there must be one example of a group conducting itself sensibly. Portions in which concrete examples are given make for more potent passages. An analogy about a hypothetical person’s imagined need for a new car helps to illustrate how readers can clutter their own lives. The example, though brief, is relatable. In the end, the book’s positive tone also creates some captivating sentiments. Although the author claims this work is not philosophical, it ultimately contends that individuals’ lives are theirs to create. Whether or not readers may agree with some of the arguments about illusions, it is still their choice to do what they will with the intriguing material. TW