truth dancer wrote: I grew up with Eric. LOL! My very amazing, agnostic father was a fan and I knew many Hoffer quotes by the time I was ten. As I grew older and became more involved in the LDS church, many of his thoughts became much more pertinent.
in my opinion, Hoffer's philosophy and ideas exemplify the truth that one doesn't need a "God" to embrace integrity and morality.
Hi TD,
Your father has always sounded to me like an amazing man, from the way you so highly speak of him.
As for Hoffer and God, the following may be of interest to you, the little known fact that Hoffer was skeptical of evolution:
Hoffer's refusal to join the parade of thinkers who accepted that man was little more than a boastful ape was perhaps his finest hour as a philosopher. It showed him at his most independent. And his perception of the unique qualities of man encouraged him to ponder man's Creator.
truth dancer wrote:Thanks Ray... I was not aware of this.
I wonder what Hoffer would think of evolution today.
:-)
~td~
TD,
Given the weight of evidence that has further accumulated even since then, I think Hoffer would have eventually accepted it. He doesn't seem to have been a philosopher in the Dennett mold, and I doubt he studied the subject as deeply. by the way, when I wrote that he rejected evolution, I wasn't implying that I agreed. The important thing about that essay is that it throws light on the fact that Hoffer believed in God. Interesting insight considering his anti-fanatic stand.