OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "We live in Social Space" by Fred Emil Katz.]

How is it possible for human beings to destroy each other? A common theme in literature is man’s inhumanity to man, as many writers across centuries and cultures depict and explore human suffering and cruelty. Writer Fred Emil Katz used his mind and talent to travel in a different direction. A Holocaust survivor, Mr. Katz thought about environments that have allowed or fostered cruelty and attempted to apply nearly-scientific constructs to them in order to explore and explain how it is that people can be so callous and cruel. The result was his non-fiction book, We Live in Social Space.

In We Live in Social Space, Mr. Katz lays out four constructs that depict different aspects of society. The author terms each of these constructions “spaces”. He posits the existence of “Hidden Space”, “Closed Space”, “Transcendent Space”, and “Meaningful Space”. Through these paradigms, Mr. Katz explores societal phenomena such as the sudden resurgence of the taboo, the temporary re-engineering of morality within a certain context, the potential impact of a messianic figure, and the many possible nuances of an action or decision.

Mr. Katz is primarily focused on the Holocaust and the cultural context that allowed it to happen, but since he is attempting to merge some scientific thinking into his theory-building, he does not restrict his social space theories to that era alone. Throughout the book, Mr. Katz draws on other phenomena, from incidents and attitudes emerging from the 2016 United States presidential election to atrocities perpetrated during the Vietnam War to the actions of ISIS terrorist groups. Mr. Katz is able to point out certain similarities in circumstances and events that illustrate and support his theory.

For some readers, this book may seem intimidating. Maybe you’ve never studied philosophy or sociology before, or maybe the book sounds a bit dry. Although this is certainly a serious and sober book, it is also well organized and fairly brief. Readers will find a clear layout with no mechanical errors. There is occasional repetition of some of the examples, but this is deliberate, acknowledged by the author, and done to illustrate a unique point. The author also includes concluding remarks that help the reader keep straight the four social spaces and their implications as well as how they relate to one another. As with any scholarly work of quality, interested readers will also find a section of notes at the end that include a number of citations that influenced Mr. Katz’s work.

Mr. Katz has written four books related to his experience as a Holocaust survivor, and although this one is the fourth in that group, it stands alone. I am pleased to be able to rate We Live in Social Space by Fred Emil Katz 4 out of 4 stars. The book is scholarly, innovative, and understandable. Further, its themes and information are relevant to a vital question in human existence: how are we able to execute such inhumanity, and by extension, how can we stop this from happening again?

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We live in Social Space
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Like L_Therese's review? Post a comment saying so!

Thanks for the great review,such great book.

It does seem a little overwhelming, but it seems like there is a lot of good information in it. It looks like something worth delving into. Thanks for a good review.

I studied philosophy in college, but it was so long time ago...I hope the book is not all too overwhelming. Nice review.

What a good review, _L! The more I think I'm done with non-fiction, the more reviewers like you come forth to change my mind. This does indeed sound like an illuminating work. I honestly don't know if I will read it. But I do know I should.

illumanate the person who you are. nice review

I really enjoyed this review, and I also think the book would be of interest to me. I like that it is scholarly and serious without being too dry and inaccessible. The theme of different "spaces" sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing!

Sounds like an excellent scholarly book on the philosophical question of why humans commit atrocities against each other. Quite interesting and intelligent!

Thanks for the good review!

I am awed by your review, L_Therese, the book sounds perfect.

Sounds like quite the book, one of the best reviews I've read here and that's saying a lot.

Brilliant review. loved it! Thank you very much.

The book examines four attributes of that Social Space. They give new illumination to many facets of our life—from our sexuality to willingness to believe in false messiahs, from stage fright among even the most accomplished performers to our enjoyment of opera.I find it enjoyable.

The review was a holistic evaluation of the book titled: We live in Social Space. It was expatiative and explanatory. The book author, Mr Fred Emil Katz really delved elaborately into one of the mysterious behaviours of humans.

I loved it. It is an inspiring book. I would name it behavioural science. Thanks for the review.

I generally avoid books involving so much cruelty. Though the book is not for me, thanks for sharing your views.