University of Melbourne Secular Society [UMSS]

Tamas Pataki is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne and Deakin University. He has published widely on the philosophy of mind, psychoanalysis, moral philosophy, and aesthetics. He has written for The Australian, The Age, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Metascience and Australian Book Review. His review essay, ‘Narcissism Incarnate’, in The Australian’s Review of Books (August 1999) won the Australasian Association of Philosophy Media Prize. Pataki’s latest book is the provocatively titled ‘Against Religion’, focusing on the psychology of religious belief.

UMSS is proud to be hosting Tamas Pataki this month for a exclusive reading/signing of ‘Against Religion’. The event will be held at the University Bookstore on Wednesday September 10 at 5:30pm for a 6pm start. The event is free and catered, but there are limited spots available, so RSVP is essential (contact jason@umss.org).

Pataki will be reading excerpts from the book and discussing his thesis on the psychology of religion. Following a Q&A, there will be an opportunity for attendees to purchase ‘Against Religion’ at a special discounted rate, and also to have it signed.

We look forward to seeing you there!

‘[Pataki] writes as a scholar, with careful and qualified argument.’
Barney Zwartz (The Age)

‘Pataki’s Against Religion is the latest in a spate of atheistic books … But while the related offerings of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens may have the edge for flair and accessibility, Pataki gets the prize for focused inquiry.’
Daniel Williams (Time)

‘Pataki’s is as lucid and insightful an account of the psychoanalytical model as you will find … ‘
Amanda Lohrey (The Monthly)

‘Reading Pataki, you sense you’re in the presence of a forceful mind with the ability to examine this complicated subject straight on. His claim that “faith is just a refusal to think” in a time when clear thinking is a necessity makes this book a worthy read.’
Jackie Adair Jones (media-culture.org.au)