A History of Doubt [On Being from APM]

A History of Doubt

January 8, 2009
On Being OnDemand: » Download (mp3, 53:09) ¦ » Listen Now (RealAudio, 53:09) ¦ » Podcast

Poet and historian Jennifer Michael Hecht says that as a scholar she always noticed the "shadow history" of doubt out of the corner of her eye. She shows how non-belief, skepticism, and doubt have paralleled and at times shaped the world's great religious and secular belief systems. She suggests that only in modern time has doubt been narrowly equated with a complete rejection of faith, or a broader sense of mystery.

Program Details

» Particulars
an annotated guide to the radio program with readings, images, and links
» Resources
» Books + Music
» Krista's Journal
» Transcript
» Credits

Hear the Music

» On Being Playlist ¦ hear full-length tracks of each song played in the program

About the Image

Engraving by William Blake titled "Job Rebuked by his Friends" from Illustrations of the Book of Job, 1825. (Source: Collection of Robert N. Essick, Blake Archive)

Unheard Cuts

» Unedited Interview with Hecht (mp3, 1:18.50)

We had to cut out some great material to craft Krista's conversation with Jennifer Michael Hecht into a show. Download the entire interview and let us know what you think of our edits.

We've also isolated two clips of Hecht on her poetry, listen and read along:
» "History"
» "No I Would Not Leave You
If You Suddenly Found God"

Featured Content

» Scale of Doubt Quiz

Hecht has crafted a playful quiz to determine how much of a doubter you are. See where you rank on the scale of doubt.

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On Being First Person

» Your Reflections
Tell us and other audience members what this program meant to you.

Voice on the Radio

Jennifer Michael Hecht

Hecht teaches in the Graduate Creative Writing Program at The New School in New York City. She has written two volumes of poetry and three books of non-fiction, including Doubt: A History.