Why Does The World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Existential Detective StoryThis is an excellent discussion of the question contained In the title. The writing is quite good and often contains an understated wit that goes well with the subject. Holt discusses a number of approaches to the topic. He makes his own view fairly clear yet treats all those he discusses fairly and with the same respect. At the same time, he brings up the flaws he finds. One part of this book I particularly enjoyed was its discussion of Anselm's ontogical argument. He not only discusses Anselm well, but provides an excellent introduction to Godel's revision of it. Like a number of other books in this genre, it discusses just how widespread Platonism is among the scientific community. I'd like to see him do another book on this. **MOCK SPOILER ALERT** Holt does not succeed in answering the question, nor do any of the theologians, philosophers, or physicists he interviews. But you'd have to be a bit loopy to suppose either a) that the answer to a minimally 2 thousand year old question might be found between the covers of this slim book, or b) that its author really imagined he had it. It seems some reviewers have made one or the other supposition. No wonder they were disappointed, or deemed the author a sham and it a waste of time to read his book. Too bad for them. It's a terrific book -- engaging, highly thought-provoking, crisply written. It was like an outstanding college freshman seminar in book form. I delighted from the first page to the last. It's not the stuff of a graduate seminar though. If you're looking for serious depth, look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a gentle tour of some very abstruse thinking on an endlessly fascinating subject, look no further.
What do You think about Why Does The World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story (2012)?
Honestly couldn't finish it. Not sure of the point or the style.
—amanda5113
