How Long to Read The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity

How Long Does it Take to Read The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity?

It takes the average reader 3 hours and 39 minutes to read The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity by Steven D. Smith

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

This book considers how the modern concept of “conscience” turns the historic commitment on its head, in a way that underlies the decadence of modern society. Steven D. Smith’s books are always anticipated with great interest by scholars, jurists, and citizens who see his work on foundational questions surrounding law and religion as shaping the debate in profound ways. Now, in The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity, Smith takes as his starting point Jacques Barzun’s provocative assertion that “the modern era” is coming to an end. Smith considers the question of decline by focusing on a single theme—conscience—that has been central to much of what has happened in Western politics, law, and religion over the past half-millennium. Rather than attempting to follow that theme step-by-step through five hundred years, the book adopts an episodic and dramatic approach by focusing on three main figures and particularly portentous episodes: first, Thomas More’s execution for his conscientious refusal to take an oath mandated by Henry VIII; second, James Madison’s contribution to Virginia law in removing the proposed requirement of religious toleration in favor of freedom of conscience; and, third, William Brennan’s pledge to separate his religious faith from his performance as a Supreme Court justice. These three episodes, Smith suggests, reflect in microcosm decisive turning points at which Western civilization changed from what it had been in premodern times to what it is today. A commitment to conscience, Smith argues, has been a central and in some ways defining feature of modern Western civilization, and yet in a crucial sense conscience in the time of Brennan and today has come to mean almost the opposite of what it meant to Thomas More. By scrutinizing these men and episodes, the book seeks to illuminate subtle but transformative changes in the commitment to conscience—changes that helped to bring Thomas More’s world to an end and that may also be contributing to the disintegration of (per Barzun) “the modern era.”

How long is The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity?

The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity by Steven D. Smith is 215 pages long, and a total of 54,825 words.

This makes it 73% the length of the average book. It also has 67% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 4 hours and 59 minutes to read The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity aloud.

What Reading Level is The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity?

The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Disintegrating Conscience and the Decline of Modernity?

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