Scientific Reviews & Feedback
Emeritus Professor Charles Birch
Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney and Challis Professor of Biology for 25 years. He was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1990, a prize considered to be ‘the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for religion’. Professor Birch has been described as ‘Australia’s leading thinker on science and God’ (Sydney Morning Herald, 27 Feb.1998).
‘Comment on Science and Religion in Beyond The Human Condition: In his book Beyond The Human Condition Jeremy Griffith makes the right emphasis when he identifies the order of the universe and its cosmic and biological evolution as the issue that brings science and religion together. Science shows an increasing complexity in order with cosmic and biological evolution but it finds no meaning to that increase in complexity. Jeremy Griffith finds that a religious vision brings an “integrative meaning” to that order. Moreover it leads him to an ethical vision of integrating love and peace. In all this he gives us a genuinely original and inspiring way of understanding ourselves and our place in the universe. His vision is one I embrace with enthusiasm and commend to all those who are searching for meaning.’ (Oct 1991)
MORE OF PROFESSOR BIRCH’S COMMENTS ABOUT JEREMY GRIFFITH’S WORK
Emeritus Professor John Morton
Emeritus Professor of Zoology, University of Auckland; Lay Canon of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland; Fellow St. John’s Theological College, Auckland
‘A Species In Denial is a superb book, a marvellous continuation of Jeremy Griffith’s previous work, Beyond The Human Condition. It calls out for deeper thought, both in the biological and spiritual arms of mankind. These are fields of understanding that are drawing closer together. Jeremy’s book brings out the truth of a new and wider frontier for humankind, a forward view of a world of humans no longer in naked competition amongst ourselves and with all others. The fittest and indeed the only humanity able to survive today will be a species evolving and deepening, into a greater harmony with ourselves and with creation at large. We go forward into this new century with a drive for a wider science and a deeper spirituality, to find again for ourselves the place we had come so near to losing: the part that should be ours in a world of loving and understanding.’ (April 2003)
MORE OF PROFESSOR MORTON’S COMMENTS ABOUT JEREMY GRIFFITH’S WORK.
Professor Henry De Lumley
Professor at the National Museum of Natural History, Institute for Human Palaeontology, Paris
‘Your work Free: The End of The Human Condition will be very useful and certainly very appreciated by all the researchers of this laboratory.’ (22 Jun. 1988)
Professor Adrienne Zihlman
Professor of Anthropology at UCLA Santa Cruz
‘Beyond The Human Condition...contains an interesting and thoughtful combination of materials and I hope it will be successful and widely read.’ (15 Jan. 1992)
Professor Shirley Strum
Professor of Anthropology at San Diego University
‘I found Beyond interesting and logical but there is much to think about.’
(In September 1992 Dr Strum met with Jeremy Griffith while he was in Africa to launch Beyond. She has studied baboons in the field for over 20 years and is the author of Almost Human and a number of National Geographic articles about her study group of baboons, the ‘Pumphouse Gang’. At Dr Strum’s invitation, Jeremy visited the ‘Pumphouse Gang’ in northern Kenya. Then, at Dr Strum’s request, Jeremy reported back to her with his thoughts.)
Dr Richard Leakey
Renowned anthropologist
‘If you are passing through Kenya, let me know and I will endeavour to assist you by arranging for a lecture.’ (8 Mar. 1989 letter to Jeremy Griffith)
Dr Ian Player
Author and founder of the Wilderness Leadership School in South Africa
‘I was pleased that Richard Leakey had offered to let you talk to his anthropology students in Nairobi. I am sure you will enjoy meeting them as much as they will enjoy meeting you.’ (27 Aug 1989 letter to Jeremy Griffith.) ‘I was very impressed with your letter to Laurens van der Post and particularly when you say you hope to make a sacred pilgrimage to Africa. You are quite right in your statement about wanting to come home.’ (10 Oct 1988 letter to Jeremy Griffith)
Daphne Sheldrick
Renowned African conservationist and founder of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi
‘I too have always been puzzled by the innate cruelty that seems to be incorporated in much of human nature, particularly in our dealings with the other creatures of the earth. I commend you for probing this phenomenon.’ (19 Sep. 1992 letter to Jeremy Griffith)
Dr David Suzuki
World renowned conservationist
‘Thank you for your letter and Griffith’s book. I was trying to find the book and you saved me the trouble.’ (11 April 1990 letter to FHA after receiving a copy of Free)
The Publishing House Of The Bulgarian Academy Of Sciences
‘The Publishing House of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is one of the oldest on the Balkan Peninsula, established in 1869. Our publishing programme includes books, reports, monographs, periodicals, etc. from all spheres of pure and applied science…We will appreciate if there is a possibility to send us a copy of the Book [Free], as we would like to present it to an adviser with a view to translating and publishing it in Bulgaria.’ (21 Jun. 1990 letter to the FHA)
THE Journal Of The Indian Institute Of Science
Review of Free by V. Krishan of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, May-June 1991 edition
‘The reading of this book could provide the much sought-after therapeutic stimulation…the final freedom.’
Yugoslavian Sociology Journal Facts And Tendencies
‘Jeremy Griffith’s book Free: The End of The Human Condition…certainly represents a contribution to the modern comprehension of the behaviour patterns of the human species. Moreover, its insight into our past in a search for key references and explanations is enlightening.’ (24 Apr. 1989 letter to the FHA from the editor-in-chief, Dasa Sasic)
