Summary of Mattias Desmet's The Psychology of Totalitarianism

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The events in the cathedral of Pisa later took on mythical proportions, embodying the cultural and social upheaval that characterized the centuries that followed. With the power of reason, man could adjust the world around him, while remaining unchanged himself. #2 The original practice of science, which was the basis of the Enlightenment, was open-mindedness. It suspended prejudice about the things being observed, and it considered uncertainty a virtue. It let the facts speak for themselves and decide for themselves what kind of thought or theory they preferred to unite with. #3 The pursuit of reason led to the most sublime insights, which were then used to improve the lives of everyone. The laws of mechanics only apply to a very limited part of reality, and scientists are able to empathize with all entities of the external world. #4 The scientists of the twentieth century reevaluated the great religious and mystical writings, such as the Upanishads, and realized that they offered a better grasp on reality than any logical, rational discourse.