The Tragedy of Almightiness: Revaluing Ethical Life

The Tragedy of Almightiness encircles the theme of human yearning for omnipotence as expressed in religion and various ideologies. The central question revolves around the matter of what--in pursuing such an extreme power of the will--man seeks to achieve. While exploring the question a thought-provoking link is made between religion and atheism; between the Biblical longing for Gods promise and the Marxist appeal for man to realize that same promise. Omnipotence must vouch for the fulfilling of the promise for justice and for mans dream of redemption. However that is not where it ends. The longing for salvation turns out to have a dangerous reverse side to it because it encourages a turning away from the actual world and the all-pervading evil. Omnipotence also facilitates the avenging of such evil. History has shown what this kind of yearning can lead to. The book demonstrates how modernity translates Biblical longings into ideologically justified revengefulness. The description of this process leads to a plea for renewed ethical purpose in life. It is a challenge that also extends to religion. Hence the reason that it is necessary to depart from the idea of omnipotence. This book convincingly shows how threatening the faith in and pursuit of omnipotence is. Obsession with power threatens the moral structure of society and the constitutional state. The author as a philosopher expresses an issue that politicians should also take notice of. Power remains a dangerous political temptation. --Ankie Broekers-Knol Chair of the Dutch Senate This is a challenging book about a topic from which the former communist world has heavily suffered: omnipotence. The author gives a penetrating analysis of the concept of omnipotence. In it he incorporates his personal experience with communism. The book contains a surprising connection between the theological and philosophical roots of the concept of omnipotence. It clarifies how these ideas were the basis for an abhorrent political translation. This book should be read. --Ladislav Hejdanek Professor of Philosophy Charles University Prague Sybe Schaap (Lemmer The Netherlands 1946) gained his doctorate in philosophy from the Free University of Amsterdam after which he lectured at the Charles University in Prague. Schaap is active worldwide as a water management expert holding a chair in water management at Delft University of Technology. He is a member of the Dutch Senate for the Dutch liberal party VVD. Schaap has written five books on philosophy with translations into German Russian and Ukrainian.