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The Great Partnership [Hardcover]

Jonathan Sacks
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

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Book Description

23 Jun 2011 0340995246 978-0340995242
Writing with his usual grace and fluency, Jonathan Sacks moves beyond the tired arguments of militant atheists such as Dawkins and Hitchens, to explore how religion has always played a valuable part in human culture and far from being dismissed as redundant, must be allowed to temper and develop scientific understanding in order for us to be fully human.

Ranging around the world to draw comparisons from different cultures, and delving deep into the history of language and of western civilisation, Jonathan Sacks shows how the predominance of science-oriented thinking is embedded deeply even in our religious understanding, and calls on us to recognise the centrality of relationship to true religion, and thus to see how this core value of relationship is essential if we are to avoid the natural tendency for science to rule our lives rather than fulfilling its promise to set us free.


Product details

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (23 Jun 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0340995246
  • ISBN-13: 978-0340995242
  • Product Dimensions: 16.5 x 24.1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 205,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Review

'The most persuasive argument for religious belief I have read'

(Andrew Marr, BBC Radio 4 Start the Week 2011-10-17)

'An intelligent, optimistic credo that allows for the happy coexistence of science and religion' (The Times 2011-06-18)

'One of the most engaging thinkers of our time' (The Times 2011-06-18)

'Britain's most authentically prophetic voice' (The Daily Telegraph 2011-06-18)

'Jonathan Sacks's voice carries unique moral authority far beyond the Jewish community' (The Tablet 2011-06-18)

About the Author

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks is admired by non-Jews as well as Jews, by secular as well as religious thinkers, and is equally at home in the university and the yeshiva. A well-known writer and broadcaster, he has authored 18 books including Radical Then, Radical Now, The Dignity of Difference and, most recently, FUTURE TENSE.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It takes a great mind to reset the at times wearisome debate between science and religion. Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks magnum opus achieves this in a book that points primarily to the future of the human race whilst incidentally shedding light on the nature of science and religion and how they can get more into partnership. His prime thesis builds from the widely recognised division of the brain into left and right, analytic and synthetic. This illuminates the separate processes of science, which takes things apart to see how they work, and religion, which puts things together to see what they mean. That insight is harnessed to the conviction that, just as a healthy brain requires the balance of analysis and synthesis, so a right-minded world requires the coming together of science and religion.

Quoting Einstein, `Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind', Sacks tackles both irrationally based religion and the overstepping arrogance of some scientists, appealing for a new alliance of believers and sceptics for the good of humanity. For the sake of our children and their children it is imperative we build the stable families and communities essential to political, economic and environmental sustainability. Religious people have no monopoly on morality, contrary to the views of a minority of religious zealots. Rather, through the humility essential to their vision, people of faith should be ready partners with people of goodwill of all faiths or none in building a healthier world.

The Great Partnership is a deep book, passionate, detailed and yet returning from different routes to the simple and compelling thesis of its title.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful attempt to bring two sides together 30 Sep 2012
Format:Paperback
I have always been impressed by Jonathan Sack's attempts at moderating the extreme views expressed by both Science and Religion. He, quite rightly in my opinion, concerns himself about their vitriolic attacks that can be so dangerous. He would like to see a world where both sides are far more conciliatory which is a view I would subscribe to, so I found this book a welcome 'middle ground' read. Rabbi Sack's message is that both sides have a part to play in understanding our world and neither need to be threatened by the other. I'm not sure if this book would convince any of the hardliners on either side, but if you consider yourself a moderate in the Science verse Religion arena then I highly recommend this book.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the read 14 Dec 2011
Format:Hardcover
Well worth the read for anyone who takes religion and science seriously; doesn't matter whether you're affiliated with Judaism.

Rabbi Sacks's central thesis is that no system contains meaning inherently; it is imposed from without. In this context, he takes it to mean that the physical universe (as governed by laws of nature, which he apparently takes for granted as autonomous) is in itself meaningless; it is only outside agents of sentience (such as religion) which ascribe meaning to it. All attempts to derive meaning from scientific inquiry are thereby futile, and tend to end up in destruction.

The author sees the rationalist effort to "square up" reason with God's apparent position and action opposite us and the universe, as misguided, a development not authentic to Abrahamic monotheism, but rather imported from the culture of ancient Greece. He loosely associates these worldviews with right- and left-brain thinking respectively, and argues that shedding this insistence on linear logic (such as is manifest in the discussion of theodicy) will resolve theo-philosophical tensions.

The author sees the current-day picture of aggressive atheists and stubborn fundamentalists angrily opposing each other as related to messianic politics, and cites the French, Russian and Nazi revolutions as examples of the failure of messianic thinking in treating worldly problems.

This was the best exposition of separate-realm thinking (science and religio-spiritual) that I have read, and through it I was finally able to understand that model. What bothered me most about Rabbi Sacks's approach is his focus on pragmatism as a justification or role-definition for religion.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I've just finished the book and wanted to take a look at the responses it's received on amazon. Quite frankly, I'm rather disappointed.

The criticisms of the lower grade reviews for this novel are taken wildly out of context. I was particularly shocked at reading those from someone supposedly from the University of Cambridge whose review was startingly simplistic and manages to misrepresent Sacks's words with real panache, while simultaneously giving the rather meaningless conclusion: "Like all propaganda, readers' reactions to this book will vary widely depending on the extent to which it chimes with their pre-existing states of mind."

Not only could this phrase essentially apply to anything (rendering it pointless), but it is in itself 'propaganda' to view someone's take and expression of beliefs on the universe and personal journey, who provides a beautifully wide variety of sources and opinions on discussions, as intentionally misleading. It is also a falsehood. The tone of the book is not that of a preacher, it is one of a discussion, one that is led by someone who comes across as well-informed, open-minded and appears very well educated. Sacks's voice is one of tolerance, not seclusion. Of encouraging discussion and debate, rather than wishing to silence. That is the antithesis of propaganda.

Within the book, Sacks gives his opinion to why not only science and philosophy can synthesise with religion, but discusses why he views that both are essential components of the human condition. It is a discussion that is articulated brilliantly and it is consistently engaging for the reader.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Help
This book has been immensely helpful to me, a Christian, who finds himself often surrounded by doubters and increasingly aggressive atheists. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Jeremy Vevers
5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Partnership
A most excellent book, both erudite and very clear to read and understand. This is a book to return to again and again. I very much enjoyed it.
Published 1 month ago by irisflag
5.0 out of 5 stars More balanced than Dawkins
At 78 I should soon find out whether Sacks or Dawkins is correct. This is much less strident than all the some what hysterical publications of Dawkins who seems to be almost... Read more
Published 1 month ago by John Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars A big book, some big issues - thoroughly examined and eruditely...
My wife heard Jonathan Sacks on Andrew Marr's radio programme. She told me they were discussing this book and because she liked what the chief Rabbi had to say she thought I would... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jim mcgriskin
5.0 out of 5 stars God and Darwinism
A Christian Priest recommended this book in the "Times" newspaper as good Lenten reading. Having read other books by the Chief Rabbi, I bought this one. Read more
Published 2 months ago by His Honour J. Qc
2.0 out of 5 stars alright for a day!
too biased on one side of judaism. good reasoning.so its only good for some sections of the book. not the whole book.
Published 2 months ago by rajdan
2.0 out of 5 stars A gorgeous cover
One of the most beautifully laminated covers I've ever come across. So soft!
(I let all of my book group have a feel)

Content is going to be interesting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling
I am only 2 chapters in and find it revelatory. So far, he is a philosopher not afraid to look at a problem squarely and express his thoughts. A readable academic.
Published 2 months ago by Don McQuillen-Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars religion explained without any party or prejudicial opinion
Written in very clear english and from a man of great spiritual value. All the time you are sure that you are reading not though from some arrogant learned person, but all is... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bill Satis
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Lenten Read
I bought this book by the Chief Rabbi as recommended for Lenten reading y an Anglican Clergyman writing in the "Times". Read more
Published 3 months ago by His Honour J. Qc
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