Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson

Doubt: A History by Jennifer Michael Hecht is a sweeping intellectual history that explores the role of religious doubt, atheism, and skepticism throughout human civilization. Spanning from ancient times to the modern era, Hecht examines how doubt has been a crucial and persistent force in shaping philosophy, science, religion, and culture. The book highlights key figures and movements—from early Greek philosophers and Eastern thinkers to Enlightenment skeptics and contemporary secularists—demonstrating that questioning religious and spiritual beliefs has been an essential part of human thought. Rather than presenting doubt as purely negative or destructive, Hecht argues that it has played a vital role in progress, freedom, and intellectual development.

This The Good Book Club Meeting was held on July 13th, 2025

***How to DONATE to The Good Book Club Podcast:

If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE here through Mormonish Podcast/Bibliotech Media, Inc. We are a 501(c) (3) so your donation is tax deductible.

https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast