God, Freedom, and Immortality

God, Freedom, and Immortality
Author :
Publisher :
Total Pages : 196
Release :
ISBN-10 : UOM:49015000759697
ISBN-13 :
Rating : 4/5 (97 Downloads)

Synopsis God, Freedom, and Immortality by : Antony Flew

Flew considers the great Kantian issues of "God, freedom, and immortality." He takes a new look at the arguments for the existence of God and the question of religious belief, and examines the claim that our lives can have meaning only by assuming the existence of God and human immortality. Throughout, Flew cleaves to the agnostic principle that we ought always to proportion our belief to the evidence.

God and Philosophy

God and Philosophy
Author :
Publisher : Prometheus Books
Total Pages : 214
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781615921409
ISBN-13 : 1615921400
Rating : 4/5 (09 Downloads)

Synopsis God and Philosophy by : Antony Flew

In this classic primer to the philosophy of religion, Antony Flew subjects a wide range of philosophical arguments for the existence of the Christian God to intense critical scrutiny. However, the rumour in some circles is that Flew - long-time advocate of atheistic humanism - has become a theist. Judge for yourself.

The Oxford Handbook of Atheism

The Oxford Handbook of Atheism
Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages : 781
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780199644650
ISBN-13 : 0199644659
Rating : 4/5 (50 Downloads)

Synopsis The Oxford Handbook of Atheism by : Stephen Bullivant

This handbook is a pioneering edited volume, exploring atheism - understood in the broad sense of 'an absence of belief in the existence of a God or gods' - in its historical and contemporary expressions. It probes the varied manifestations and implications of unbelief from an array of disciplinary perspectives and in a range of global contexts.

Life without God

Life without God
Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Total Pages : 211
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781009297820
ISBN-13 : 1009297821
Rating : 4/5 (20 Downloads)

Synopsis Life without God by : Rik Peels

Moves beyond the standard arguments against God's existence and sheds new light on what truly motivates the atheist.

Atheism and Agnosticism

Atheism and Agnosticism
Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Total Pages : 97
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781108638432
ISBN-13 : 1108638430
Rating : 4/5 (32 Downloads)

Synopsis Atheism and Agnosticism by : Graham Oppy

This Element is an elementary introduction to atheism and agnosticism. It begins with a careful characterisation of atheism and agnosticism, distinguishing them from many other things with which they are often conflated. After a brief discussion of the theoretical framework within which atheism and agnosticism are properly evaluated, it then turns to the sketching of cases for atheism and agnosticism. In both cases, the aim is not conviction, but rather advancement of understanding: the point of the cases is to make it intelligible why some take themselves to have compelling reason to adopt atheism or agnosticism.

Believing by Faith

Believing by Faith
Author :
Publisher : Clarendon Press
Total Pages : 272
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780191525575
ISBN-13 : 019152557X
Rating : 4/5 (75 Downloads)

Synopsis Believing by Faith by : John Bishop

Can it be justifiable to commit oneself 'by faith' to a religious claim when its truth lacks adequate support from one's total available evidence? In Believing by Faith, John Bishop defends a version of fideism inspired by William James's 1896 lecture 'The Will to Believe'. By critiquing both 'isolationist' (Wittgensteinian) and Reformed epistemologies of religious belief, Bishop argues that anyone who accepts that our publicly available evidence is equally open to theistic and naturalist/atheistic interpretations will need to defend a modest fideist position. This modest fideism understands theistic commitment as involving 'doxastic venture' - practical commitment to propositions held to be true through 'passional' causes (causes other than the recognition of evidence of or for their truth). While Bishop argues that concern about the justifiability of religious doxastic venture is ultimately moral concern, he accepts that faith-ventures can be morally justifiable only if they are in accord with the proper exercise of our rational epistemic capacities. Legitimate faith-ventures may thus never be counter-evidential, and, furthermore, may be made supra-evidentially only when the truth of the faith-proposition concerned necessarily cannot be settled on the basis of evidence. Bishop extends this Jamesian account by requiring that justifiable faith-ventures should also be morally acceptable both in motivation and content. Hard-line evidentialists, however, insist that all religious faith-ventures are morally wrong. Bishop thus conducts an extended debate between fideists and hard-line evidentialists, arguing that neither side can succeed in establishing the irrationality of its opposition. He concludes by suggesting that fideism may nevertheless be morally preferable, as a less dogmatic, more self-accepting, even a more loving, position than its evidentialist rival.

Philosophers without Gods

Philosophers without Gods
Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Total Pages : 332
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780199839780
ISBN-13 : 0199839786
Rating : 4/5 (80 Downloads)

Synopsis Philosophers without Gods by : Louise M. Antony

Atheists are frequently demonized as arrogant intellectuals, antagonistic to religion, devoid of moral sentiments, advocates of an "anything goes" lifestyle. Now, in this revealing volume, nineteen leading philosophers open a window on the inner life of atheism, shattering these common stereotypes as they reveal how they came to turn away from religious belief. These highly engaging personal essays capture the marvelous diversity to be found among atheists, providing a portrait that will surprise most readers. Many of the authors, for example, express great affection for particular religious traditions, even as they explain why they cannot, in good conscience, embrace them. None of the contributors dismiss religious belief as stupid or primitive, and several even express regret that they cannot, or can no longer, believe. Perhaps more important, in these reflective pieces, they offer fresh insight into some of the oldest and most difficult problems facing the human mind and spirit. For instance, if God is dead, is everything permitted? Philosophers without Gods demonstrates convincingly, with arguments that date back to Plato, that morality is independent of the existence of God. Indeed, every writer in this volume adamantly affirms the objectivity of right and wrong. Moreover, they contend that secular life can provide rewards as great and as rich as religious life. A naturalistic understanding of the human condition presents a set of challenges--to pursue our goals without illusions, to act morally without hope of reward--challenges that can impart a lasting value to finite and fragile human lives. 'This Atheists R Us compilation differs markedly in tone from Hitchens and Dawkins. Excellent fare for Christian small groups whose members are genuinely interested in the arguments raised by atheists.'-- Christianity Today 'Rather than the foolishness of Dawkins or Hitchens, these [essays] are compelling and sophisticated arguments that religious people ought to confront....'-- Tikkun 'Taken as a group, these readable, personal, and provocative essays make it clear that there are many kinds of non-believers, and even many different elements that make up a single skeptical outlook. Contrary to the popular image, atheism isn't all rebellious trumpets and defiant drums. That part of the orchestra is essential, but here we have all the varieties of unreligious experience, a full symphony of unbelief.' -- Free Inquiry 'This collection strikes me as an excellent example of how comprehensible philosophical writing can be at its best. By and large, the essays are written in a clear and direct style, free of philosophical jargon. Many who read it will find themselves also engaged at a level that is not merely academic.'--George I. Mavrodes, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews