Absence of Mind

In "Absence of Mind," acclaimed author Marilynne Robinson embarks on an ambitious intellectual exploration, dissecting the complex interplay between science, religion, and consciousness. With her characteristic erudition, Robinson critically engages with contemporary postmodern atheists who, she argues, misrepresent science as an infallible weapon against religious belief. Instead, she posits that authentic scientific inquiry is a profound search for knowledge, deeply embedded within the mysterious landscape of human consciousness, rather than a definitive model of reality. Drawing inspiration from William James, Robinson staunchly defends the importance of individual reflection and celebrates the rich variety of human subjective experience. She delves into the cultural milieu that influenced Sigmund Freud's seminal theories, shedding light on the historical context of our understanding of self. Through incisive analyses of language, emotion, scientific thought, and poetry, Robinson masterfully repositions human consciousness at the very heart of the crucial and often contentious religion-science debate, offering a powerful, nuanced perspective.