What We Can't Not Know: A Guide

This was a real fun read. The author, J. B., writes with conversational eloquence that makes it easy to engage with his thinking and argumentation. i already come to the subject knowing a bit about natural law but still found this to be a good work on exploring the foundations of the theory, which I take to be the best theory of morality available. I agree with the author that there are things we can't not know and that we humans have a great desire to deny this knowledge lest our consciences weigh us down with accusatory guilt or haunt us via the other Furies. My main criticism of the book is that J.B. does not defend his controversial points well enough with evidence and that he gets off on blatantly theological tangents that make the whole theory seem something parochially Christian. There are several examples of this, the most glaring being his argument that knowledge of God is part of the natural law. This may be true but he needs to defend it more than just quote two atheists who hold to atheism for irrational 'reasons'. He could have cited social science studies on the God concept readily apparent in children or through some other means. In any case, this claim is a huge one and needed to be defended more extensively than it in fact was. J.B.'s Intelligent Design part of the argument was odd and frankly off-putting. As a Catholic, I thought he'd mention natural teleology, the four Aristotelian causes developed by Aquinas that presuppose design in the final causation that is in nature. That would fit the characterization of what he terms the witnesses of design as being something apparent to all and being valid. Being valid here is key evolutionary biology since Darwin has been about design though being apparent is explained through a blind natural process. In any case, this discussion really takes another book at least and feels like it is just thrown in and expected to be accepted.hat's great about this book is J.B.'s psychological analysis of human nature. He does a good job of discussing abortion as being an obvious violation of the natural law and how conscience gets its revenge on people who undertake it. Of the four witnesses he discusses to natural law, the witnesses of deep conscience and natural consequences are what I thought to be the most persuasive. He also did went further and discussed the "five Furies" that come after a person who violates one of those things we can't not know. They are Remorse, Confession, Atonement, Reconciliation. All these are legit responses from conscience when they are carried out rightly but they can also be twisted by movements seeking to normalize evil behavior. J.B. is great on this point. I would have preferred a more ecumenical C.S. Lewis-type approach in citing common wisdom from around the world in support of the basics of natural law but still deeply enjoyed his discussion of the Ten Commandments as being a good example of what we can't not know. In all, this is a very good thought-provoking read. J.B. is writing this not to convince those that are completely opposed to this view and I can tell by the one star reviews that he has definitely gotten their ire. I agree that a book for that audience would have to be written very differently if the aim is to rationally convince or at least get some respect. Being what it is, I can see why it's gotten little respect from those completely outside. To those people, I would recommend C.S. Lewis' The Abolition of Man over this book any day. As sort of a contemporary update to Lewis' argument, I think this is a great read despite its inherent flaws.

Over the last few years, I've been looking for a good book on Natural Law, and Budziszewski has written three of them (see also his 'Written On the Heart' and 'The Revenge of Conscience'); 'What We Can't Not Know' is the best, most complete, popular-level treatment I've seen.Budziszewski emphasizes the Natural Law as 'built into' (or, more properly, 'designed into') the universe, and 'built into' our own human nature (ie, 'written on our hearts'). As such, the force of Natural Law doesn't depend on whether or not one 'accepts' it (this reminds me of Churchill's famous quip when told that Lady Astor had "accepted the universe" - "she'd better"). Transgressing the Natural Law has inevitable consequences, some of them quite unexpected, or with long time lags.Budziszewski states at the beginning that he is writing for a Christian audience, which is fine, as far as it goes, but it leaves me waiting for his next(?) book, in which he states his case to those "outside the household of faith". It seems to me that Natural Law ideas could be very helpful for public discourse, at least insofar as they can show that Judeo-Christian moral reasoning doesn't depend solely on matters of faith or revelation.

Budziszewski was clearly blessed with one of the greater minds in modern Christendom. Praise God that he is willing to share it with others. Regardless of whether you share his Roman Catholic faith, or come from a Reformed/Baptistic Tradition (such as myself) there is much to contend in this book. He is the undisputed living expert on the natural law and this is, perhaps, the best primer on the subject. I return to it often and find it has influenced my preaching, teaching, and discipling in profound ways. There are few books like this and I count this among the top ten most influential books that have shaped me.

This is an excellent treatise on the natural law, or self evident truths of which we are all aware at some level or another. While the author is open about his Christian faith, his defense of these self evident truths are based on sound reason, logic and the undeniable evidences commonly encountered by all humanity. The information is well presented, and the authors message is challenging and thought provoking to say the least. The writing is at somewhat of a high level and may be a little difficult for the average reader, but it is well worth the read. Anyone who has doubts about faith and God's existence will find this book inspiring and full of the answers so many are searching for today. The atheist who reads this book may still reject God's existence but, after reading this book, will do so without valid substance on which to base his choice.

Budziszewski combines his talents as philosopher and psychologist in this deep yet eminently practical analysis of the natural law. His basic premise is that natural law is what it is--an inescapable fact of life whether we accept it or not, whether we like it or not. To the extent we deny or defy the natural law, we consciously or unconsciously fall prey to all manner of psychological and spiritual corruption--denial, rationalization, overcompensation, etc. He describes many "real world" examples of how this plays out, often describing various responses to the issues of abortion and homosexuality. As I read, I found myself continually thinking, "Yes--that is how I responded to that," or "That really is what people do." His arguments, supported by powerful appeals to common sense and written in plain everyday English, are very persuasive. If you are having trouble comprehending the seemingly incomprehensible positions people take with regard to issues of life and faith, this book is for you!

Aunque debo admitir que esperaba más de un libro como este, el libro está lleno de semillas que nos pueden ayudar a comprender mejor la naturaleza humana, vista desde el plan que ha sido diseñado para nosotros (y a comprender a la cultura que muchas veces intenta negar esta realidad).

Helpful insights into natural law, could do with more general examples, practical example of complex terms, but worth the read

Amongst the several most exceptional books I have read in a long time. This along with a few other books was like a thorough review of Aristotelian and Thomistic philosophy, the only philosophy I regard as perfectly sane and in touch with reality!

Clear, concise, thorough, topical. Very helpful for understanding contemporary social issues.

Thought this might be a thought provoking read but it is a simple restatement of Christian ethics dressed up with long words. Best avoided unless you want to remind yourself of the Ten Commandments and how generally irrevelent they are to modern life