Ignorance and Bliss

'An exuberant, inexhaustible storyteller, Lilla finds the hidden, self-protective will to ignorance at the centre of our most cherished religious myths, philosophical systems, and literary masterpieces.' -- <b>Stephen Greenblatt, author of <i>The Swerve</i> and <i>The Rise and Fall of Adam and Eve</i></b> ‘Mark Lilla argues compellingly that a will to ignorance is as strong in human beings as any interest in knowledge. Writing with admirable clarity and subtle charm, Lilla gives us a highly original study of what our desire not to know means for our lives.’ -- <b>John Gray, author of <i>The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism</i></b> 'Ignorance is bliss, a poet once said, and Mark Lilla offers us a learned, humane and astringent guide to our incorrigible attachment to ignorance and our wavering commitment to truth. At a time when our politics is debauched with lies and fake news, Lilla asks a question which challenges our alibis: what if the root of the problem lies not with our leaders, but with us?' -- <b>Michael Ignatieff, professor at Central European University and author of <i>On Consolation</b></i> ‘In these murky days when we all seem to be at sea, Mark Lilla’s elegant and perceptive handbook serves both as a compass and a hopeful sail.’ -- <b>Alberto Manguel, author of <i>Maimonides</i> and <i>A History of Reading</i></b>