The DIM Hypothesis

Why the Lights of the West Are Going Out

By: Leonard Peikoff

Narrated by: Robin Field

In his groundbreaking and controversial book The DIM Hypothesis, Dr. Leonard Peikoff casts a penetrating new light on the process of human thought and thereby on Western culture and history.

In this far-reaching study, Peikoff identifies the three methods people use to integrate concrete data into a whole, as when connecting diverse experiments by a scientific theory, separate laws into a constitution, or single events into a story. The first method, in which data is integrated through rational means, he calls Integration. The second, which employs non-rational means, he calls Misintegration. The third is Disintegration–which is nihilism, the desire to tear things apart.

In The DIM Hypothesis Peikoff demonstrates the power of these three methods in shaping the West by using the categories to examine the culturally representative fields of literature, physics, education, and politics. His analysis illustrates how the historical trends in each field have been dominated by one of these three categories, not only today but during the whole progression of Western culture from its beginning in ancient Greece.

Extrapolating from the historical pattern he identifies, Peikoff concludes by explaining why the lights of the West are going out–and predicts the most likely future for the United States.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.; 2012 Leonard Peikoff (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Very Important Framework

I think Peikoff has a very well thought out framework here for understanding philosophic change. I'll probably need to read it at least once more to fully digest it, but I've already found it quite valuable.

Brilliant

Anything but Dim. Dr. Piekoff gives a thorough analysis and clearly identifies the essentials of western philosophy. 11/10 would read again.

In my top 10 all time favorite books

If you like reading about philosophy this is a must read. worth every penny

Wow, what a book.

This is not ans easy book, but it really explains why the light of the west are going out. At the same time it fire up your spirit to keep western value up and alive. Ayn Rand was the ignition spark of this engine, Leonard Peikoff is the fuel of the philosophy. It is now up to us individual to drive our machine to success.

Extremely Important

This is a must listen to/read for anyone who cares about what is best for America, freedom, reason, truth. and the successful flourishing and happiness of human life. I highly recommend a serious consideration of the ideas it presents

Objetivismo Aplicado

Excelente aplicación del método de pensamiento que originó la revolución del Objetivismo. Una visión clara de los errores fundamentales de la sociedad Occidental.

Brilliant

A thoughtful hypothesis, eloquently explained to those new to philosophical topics. I learned a ton from this book.

If you were frustrated by Ayn Rand's narrow focus

If you ever read Ayn Rand's work, but felt frustrated by her focus almost exclusively on the individual, without deeply considering the impact of philosophy on culture and society, this is an excellent read. This is NOT a book about objectivism or Rand. This is a book which takes a rational approach to look at how philosophy impacts culture and society throughout western history (going back to the Greeks). While Peikoff, as one of Rand's strongest adherents clearly comes from an objectivist viewpoint, this book is not about individuals, other than briefly as the instigators of major philosophical trends. Rather, it assess historical trends and transitions from a philosophical viewpoint, showing that major cultural and political changes are demonstrably preceded by shifts in the philosophies underlying that culture, as measured by the products of that culture. While Rand's work is "little picture", or "how should an individual try to live life irrespective of the culture he lives in", this work is at the opposite extreme: "how can we expect our culture and politics to evolve in the future based on observable philosophical trends". The work is compelling and I would say a must-read for anyone with a rational view of the universe. Whether you accept his ultimate conclusions or not, the concepts are well worth considering.

Depressing yet motivating

As an Objectivist I was eager to read this book. The scope of it is astounding- attempting to characterize and fit into his theory all of western philosophical and cultural history. While the conclusion (take over in the US by the ultra religious) is depressing he still holds out the possibility for a rational philosophy to pull out a win in the US.

Brilliant theory. Watch the predictions come true!

Peikoff breaks philosophies down into 3 basic categories. To describe then simply, they are 1) Aristotelian Enlightenment Induction, 2) Deduction from fantastical assumed "truths" (Christianity and Marxism), and 3) nihilism... I, M, and D respectively.

He shows how M in its various forms has dominated human history leading to self-denial morality and totalitarianism, how I sparked the Hellenic Age and fizzled under the Romans, how I rose again during the Enlightenment after a crushing millennium of heavy M, and how D nihilism starting with Kant is leading to the deconstruction of the freedom and industry that has made our modern world a paradise in terms of human history.

If none of that is clear, then read this book. Puts some real perspective on the religion of Wokism and our current decent into faith-based totalitarianism (written WAY before any of this was a thing.)

Sorry to say it's Peikoff's last book, but a fine way to end a career!