IS “48 LAWS OF POWER” A DEMONIC BOOK?

It was on a blessed evening, chatting with a friend, when she told me a friend of hers described the author of a certain book as demonic. Paraphrasing her words, “...only a bitter soul will write such a demonic book.”

This is no author but Robert Greene who, to me, is a passionate observer and critique of human nature rather than a demonic figure.

His magnum opus, The 48 Laws of Power, is a broad synthesis that travels far back in the space of time, giving us the requisite knowledge to thrive in such a world full of different kinds of people, good and evil alike. 

The book aims to expose the reader to the lascivious thoughts of men, the unscrupulous desire for wealth, and the covetous quest for dominance with regard to attaining power in such a modern world we live in. 

While many, like my friend's friend, has negated the value of such a book at face value, others have given it a thorough thought and seen its true value.

Perhaps her myopia is sparked by her ignorance of the true nature of humankind when trying to attain lofty heights on the stage of power and dominance. 

Greene's writings are not for the feeble-minded. They are for those who intend to really understand and master the dark side of their instrinsic nature. 

But as always, each book you pick has its pros and cons. Such a book, can prove dangerous and demonic if harnessed and put to use in a wrong way. 

That's why as readers, we should be active, not passive. Only by reading texts at a certain distance with utmost criticality can we learn truly. Even Greene emphasizes that. “A thorough reading of the book”, says Greene, “will inspire thinking and reevaluation long after you finish reading it.”

So instead of negating the efforts of such a man for unravelling the truth about our animalistic tendencies and suggesting ways we can put it to better use, we should rather appreciate him. 

The only thing needed is to, read with an open mind, although critically, and most importantly, using a guiding philosophy; your religion's philosophy when doing all this.