People of the Lie by M. Scott Peck (1985, Paperback, Reprint)

I don't know how this book escaped my awareness till you brought it up a while back. I think we Peck's ideas deserve some interesting discussion and more importantly, many of us will reflect on evil and how we deal with it in our own lives.

I suppose I come closest to complete agreement with Peck on the issue of Free Will and choice than on the other items you have brought up here. Likely the reason for that is that it sounds much like the discourse of the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. Our choice is whether we serve God or serve evil. We are servants of one or the other. But service to God, surrender to His will, enables us to be function as we were designed. It is not an opression, His yoke is light.

I have not yet fully been able to put my thoughts into words regarding Peck's definition of evil. I think what he says is okay, as far as it goes. I like his distinction of acts of evil and evil people or groups. But the trying to encapsulate evil into scientifically manageable concept is not the end of the matter.

I really like the book. A friend suggested I read it because we have similar interests. I am in the process of eading the book. I received this four days ago so I am just typing the minimum number of characters because it will not submit a review unless you have a 100 character review.

a good book, insightful at the same time giving evidence to theories and opinions. The case studies were interesting. Sort of helps for that paranoid feeling you get when you know you are being lied to-and you don't understand what would make a person lie!

I bought this book on the recommendation of a mentor who knew a thing or two about the subject. As a wide reader, I fould this book to be very well written. It is one of the most comprehensive psychological examinations of the phenomenon of evil that I have ever read. If you are looking for a detailed examination of the manifestation of evil in people then this is the book to read. I would reccomend it as a must for any psychology or counseling student. I was truly impressed with the quality of the writing and the depth of the content.