The age of American unreason
Susan Jacoby examines a new American cultural phenomenon that clashes with the nation's heritage of Enlightenment reason and modern scientific knowledge. She critiques an anti-rationalist landscape, from pop culture to 'junk thought,' fostered by mass media, religious fundamentalism, and a credulous public. Jacoby argues that America's addiction to infotainment distinguishes this age of unreason from past anti-intellectual outbreaks, leading to a decline in reading and a rise in illiteracy. This impassioned book challenges Americans to confront the painful truth about the costs of abandoning reason.
Susan Jacoby was motivated to write this book by her observations of a growing anti-intellectual trend in American society, particularly the increasing influence of infotainment and a decline in critical thinking. She drew on her background as a journalist and cultural critic to analyze these societal shifts.
The Age of American Unreason continues Susan Jacoby's long-standing engagement with topics of secularism, reason, and intellectual history, building on themes explored in her earlier writings about American culture and the role of skepticism. It represents a culmination of her critical perspective on contemporary societal trends.