Shellenberger is not a zealot. Voltaire's Candide comes to mind - not sure why. From online search about Candide which I read decades ago in French, too long ago to remember any details:

"Candide demonstrates how speculating on life can cause one to sit idly by rather than helping others. As such, philosophical or speculative thinking is portrayed as both useless and potentially destructive. Social Criticism: Voltaire uses Candide to expose the failings of his society."

I think Shellenberger conveys a complimentary attitude to that. Makes sense to me, but I am probably being too vague.