Reader help

August 17, 2013 • 6:01 am

I don’t have my copy of Walter Kaufmann’s wonderful Faith of a Heretic here, but I’m sure some of you do.  Could someone be so kind as to track down the page number for this wonderful (and accurate) definition of faith, which I believe comes from that book:

“Faith means intense, usually confident, belief that is not based on evidence sufficient to command assent from every reasonable person.”

And let me know if the quote is accurate.

kthxbai

11 thoughts on “Reader help”

  1. It’s on page 2 of the 1st edition. the quote is accurate

    http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lecnAAAAYAAJ&q=%E2%80%9CFaith+means+intense,+usually+confident,+belief+that+is+not+based+on+evidence+sufficient+to+command+assent+from+every+reasonable+person.%E2%80%9D&dq=%E2%80%9CFaith+means+intense,+usually+confident,+belief+that+is+not+based+on+evidence+sufficient+to+command+assent+from+every+reasonable+person.%E2%80%9D&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YHQPUvPjM8WY1AW8nYC4Ag&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBA

    2. I also have the Anchor edition and I confirm it’s on the second page, in the last paragraph. You might find useful that this quote has a footnote that reads:

      This conception of faith is defended in detail in my Critique of Religion and Philosophy, § 36: “Knoweldge, belief, and faith.” Citing one’s previous work like this is an evil—but a lesser one. Lengthy repetitions would be worse; and if one refrains from both one seems utterly arbitrary, as if one considered argument beneath one’s dignity.

  2. In my DoubleDay Anchor edition there’s a footnote on this as well. ‘This conception of faith is defended in detail in my Critique of Religion and Philosophy, § 36: “Knowledge, belief, and faith.” Citing one’s previous work like this is admittedly an evil –but a lesser one. Lengthy repetitions would be worse; and if one refrains from both one seems utterly arbitrary, as if one considered argument beneath one’s dignity.’

  3. Looks like your question is answered. I just thought I’d mention that I recently obtained a copy of the Anchor edition for $9.00 (including shipping) from Powell’s Books! That beats the next lowest price I had seen for a paperback of $35.00! Feeling pretty good about that!

    1. Caramba! Least expensive at Alibris is a paperback listed as Fair condition, for $44.

      1. That’s just crazy. My copy looks practically new–clean, tight, no markings, no odor. The original price ($2.95?) is marked out on the cover, is all. I couldn’t believe it!

  4. “Faith means intense, usually confident, belief that is not based on evidence sufficient to command assent from every reasonable person.”

    Many people of faith will insist that their faith is neither intense nor confident. What is intense and confident, however, is their conviction that an intense, confident faith in God would be a very desirable thing … for them.

    Turns other people into fanatics.

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