Background
Vitz, Paul Clayton was born on August 27, 1935 in Toledo.
( In this updated, expanded edition, starting with Freud'...)
In this updated, expanded edition, starting with Freud's "projection theory" of religion - that belief in God is merely a product of man's desire for security - Professor Vitz argues that psychoanalysis actually provides a more satisfying explanation for atheism. Disappointment in one's earthly father, whether through death, absence, or mistreatment, frequently leads to a rejection of God. A biographical survey of influential atheists of the past four centuries shows that this "defective father hypothesis" provides a consistent explanation of the "intense atheism" of these thinkers. A survey of the leading defenders of Christianity over the same period confirms the hypothesis, finding few defective fathers. Vitz concludes with an intriguing comparison of male and female atheists and a consideration of other psychological factors that can contribute to atheism. Professor Vitz does not argue that atheism is psychologically determined. Each man, whatever his experiences, ultimately chooses to accept God or reject him. Yet the cavalier attribution of religious faith to irrational, psychological needs is so prevalent that an exposition of the psychological factors predisposing one to atheism is necessary. Vitz offers a radical new thesis about the psychological origins of atheism. By studying the lives of numerous famous atheists, from the old atheists Nietzsche, Sartre, and Freud to the new atheists Hitchens, Dawkins, and Dennet, Vitz discovers a startling common pattern: atheism arises in people with dead, absent, or abusive fathers. By contrast, prominent defenders of religious belief-including Blaise Pascal, John Henry Newman, and G.K. Chesterton-were blessed with attentive, loving and caring fathers. Vitz's provocative book raises important questions about psychology, religious belief, and the importance of fathers. - Christopher Kaczor, Author, The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church Quite simply, Paul Vitz's Faith of the Fatherless is a minor classic, a book that should be on the short list of all those who want to understand, in the deepest terms, the ill effects caused by the failures of fatherhood. Faith of the Fatherless should function as a gateway book to research in all fields examining our current, highly-secularized culture, a culture marked deeply by both unbelief and hostility toward the family and especially fatherhood. - Benjamin Wiker, Author, Architects of the Culture of Death
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1586176870/?tag=2022091-20
(A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterpris...)
A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterprise that Paul Vitz maintains has become a religion, a secular cult of self, now part of the problem of modern life rather than part of its resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C3W8B8/?tag=2022091-20
(Starting with Freud's "projection theory" of religion-tha...)
Starting with Freud's "projection theory" of religion-that belief in God is merely a product of man's desire for security-Professor Vitz argues that psychoanalysis actually provides a more satisfying explanation for atheism. Disappointment in one's earthly father, whether through death, absence, or mistreatment, frequently leads to a rejection of God. A biographical survey of influential atheists of the past four centuries shows that this "defective father hypothesis" provides a consistent explanation of the "intense atheism" of these thinkers. A survey of the leading intellectual defenders of Christianity over the same period confirms the hypothesis, finding few defective fathers. Professor Vitz concludes with an intriguing comparison of male and female atheists and a consideration of other psychological factors that can contribute to atheism. Professor Vitz does not argue that atheism is psychologically determined. Each man, whatever his experiences, ultimately chooses to accept God or reject him. Yet the cavalier attribution of religious faith to irrational, psychological needs is so prevalent that an exposition of the psychological factors predisposing one to atheism is necessary.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890626252/?tag=2022091-20
(This is a virtually rewritten second edition of New York ...)
This is a virtually rewritten second edition of New York University Professor Paul Vitz's profoundly important analysis of modern psychology. Vitz maintains that psychology in our day has become a religion, a secular cult of self, and has become part of the problem of modern life rather than part of its resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FGVLYVW/?tag=2022091-20
(A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterpris...)
A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterprise that Paul Vitz maintains has become a religion, a secular cult of self, now part of the problem of modern life rather than part of its resolution. Virtually rewritten, this second edition of the original 1977 text takes into account much of what has happened in the field of psychology during the past seventeen years. Two completely new chapters are also included -- one on education and "values clarification" and the other on New Age religion.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802807259/?tag=2022091-20
Vitz, Paul Clayton was born on August 27, 1935 in Toledo.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1957 and with a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from Stanford University in 1962.
Instructor psychology, Pomona (California) College, 1962-1964; assistant professor, New York University, 1965-1970; associate professor, New York University, 1970-1985; director psychology department undergraduate program, New York University, 1973-1979; professor, New York University, since 1985; acting director master's program, New York University, 1988-1989, 90-91; acting director graduate program, New York University, 1989-1990. Adjunct Professor John Paul II Institute on Marriage and Family, Washington, since 1990, International Academy Philosophy, since 1994. Lecturer in field.
( In this updated, expanded edition, starting with Freud'...)
(Starting with Freud's "projection theory" of religion-tha...)
(A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterpris...)
(A trenchant analysis of modern psychology -- an enterpris...)
(This is a virtually rewritten second edition of New York ...)
(Book by Paul Vitz)
(2 Sub)
(1st)
Married Evelyn Birge. 6 children.