The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life

Based on a course that Nicholi has taught at the Harvard Medical School for over 30 years, this depicts an all-out battle for the soul by two of the 20th century's intellectual giants, who debate such overriding issues as God, love, sex, and the meaning of life from nearly ends of the spectrum. 304 pages, softcover.

Throughout the ages, many of the world's greatest thinkers have wrestled with the concept of -- and belief in -- God. It may seem unlikely that any new arguments or insights could be raised, but the twentieth century managed to produce two brilliant men with two diametrically opposed views about the question of God: Sigmund Freud and C. S. Lewis. They never had an actual meeting, but in The Question of God, their arguments are placed side by side for the very first time.

For more than twenty-five years, Armand Nicholi has taught a course at Harvard that compares the philosophical arguments of both men. In The Question of God, Dr. Nicholi presents the writings and letters of Lewis and Freud, allowing them to "speak" for themselves on the subject of belief and disbelief. Both men considered the problem of pain and suffering, the nature of love and sex, and the ultimate meaning of life and death -- and each of them thought carefully about the alternatives to their positions.

The inspiration for the PBS series of the same name, The Question of God does not presuppose which man -- Freud the devout atheist or Lewis the atheist-turned-believer -- is correct in his views. Rather, readers are urged to join Nicholi and his students and decide for themselves which path to follow.

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteA marvelous new book that showcases the debate over such ultimate questions as God, love and the meaning of life.

Francis CollinsNational Public RadioThe Question of God is provocative and compellingly written.

The Boston HeraldAlthough there's no record of Freud and Lewis actually meeting...Nicholi makes readers wish they had in this earnest and thought-provoking volume.

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Linda Moore (Pawtucket, RI), December 18, 2009

This is a must read for those wondering about Christianity compared to atheism. C.S. Lewis is on such solid ground in his thoughts and writings. The book was very well written and almost made it seem like Freud and Lewis were in the same room having a conversation. I cameout voting for Lewis. Freud was a very disturbed man in spite of his great research.

Reviewed by Ken Winters (N. Brookfield, MA), July 10, 2007

This book, and the accompaning PBS special are extremely well-done. Dr. Nicholi is a deep thinker who is able to communicate the key issues of Lewis' and Freud's lives and belief systems with a very readable book with excellent clarity. It should be required reading for every High School and College Student in the U.S. so they can make an informed decision on this key question.

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