Like pesky wasps buzzing circles around us, people who act as if they’re the sole expert on a subject put us on edge. We bristle at their arrogant, rigid certainty and refusal to change their minds in the face of abundant evidence that should give reason to pause.
Thief of Reason opens with a gripping scene of rising tension during a family dinner conversation. Polarized viewpoints spark a heated argument between an intolerant, dogmatic father and his son, Rick, a bright, twenty-eight-year-old university student who’s determined to understand his fractured relationship with his father and capture the heart of his new love—a political neophyte who, unlike himself, is devoutly religious.
With a lively injection of humour, Thief of Reason skillfully contrasts closed-minded characters with those who are more open-minded, respectful, and inclusive—those who get second dinner invitations. Readers will think of people they’ve met or are related to, partners they’ve loved and left, bosses and coworkers they’ve endured, or candidates they’ve unwittingly voted for.
Compelling, insightful, and unforgettable, Thief of Reason peers through a powerful psychological lens that’s delightfully original and life-changing.
Reviews
"This lively tale captures family conflict in a most entertaining manner while, without being preachy, teaching important lessons along the way. The story involves family dynamics that will be all too familiar to many. Johnson expertly presents the difficulties that arise when well-entrenched, emotionally-laden beliefs are challenged, and the damage this brings to valued relationships. Readers will not only be entertained but will come away with important psychological insights that are likely to resonate in their own lives." — Professor James Alcock, PhD, Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto. Author of BELIEF: What it Means to Believe and Why Our Convictions Are So Compelling (Prometheus Books, 2018) as well as many scientific and academic articles.
Author(s)
Judy J. Johnson
Judy J. Johnson is Professor Emerita, Psychology Department, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta. Her M.Sc.