The Meaning of Theism
Ratio Special Issues
1. Edition March 2007
144 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-4051-5960-9
John Wiley & Sons
Leading philosophers reflect on what belief in God, or its absence, means for the subject and what difference it makes to the flow and perceived significance of someone's life.
* A stimulating juxtaposition of views including the different perspectives of Christians, Buddhists, Jews, atheists and agnostics
* Contributors include Sir Anthony Kenny, Alvin Plantinga, John Haldane, Richard Norman, David Benatar and John Cottingham
* Enables the reader to see how crucial issues about the nature and significance of religious belief are dealt with from widely differing philosophical and religious perspectives
List of Contributors vii
Preface ix
1 What's God Got To Do With It? Atheism and Religious Practice 1
David Benatar
2 What Difference Does It Make? The Nature and Significance of Theistic Belief 19
John Cottingham
3 Philosophy, the Restless Heart and the Meaning of Theism 39
John Haldane
4 Worshipping an Unknown God 59
Anthony Kenny
5 'Seeke True Religion. Oh, Where?' 71
Michael McGhee
6 The Varieties of Non-Religious Experience 91
Richard Norman
7 Divine Action in the World (Synopsis) 111
Alvin Plantinga
Index 121
Preface ix
1 What's God Got To Do With It? Atheism and Religious Practice 1
David Benatar
2 What Difference Does It Make? The Nature and Significance of Theistic Belief 19
John Cottingham
3 Philosophy, the Restless Heart and the Meaning of Theism 39
John Haldane
4 Worshipping an Unknown God 59
Anthony Kenny
5 'Seeke True Religion. Oh, Where?' 71
Michael McGhee
6 The Varieties of Non-Religious Experience 91
Richard Norman
7 Divine Action in the World (Synopsis) 111
Alvin Plantinga
Index 121
"Taken as a whole, the book is a success; several essays in it will reward further, careful study." (Religious Studies Review, March 2009)
John Cottingham was educated at Oxford University and is
currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Reading,
where he holds an Established Chair of Philosophy. He is also an
Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford. He is (since
1993) Editor of Ratio, the international journal of analytic
philosophy. In 2002-4 he was Stanton Lecturer in the Philosophy of
Religion at Cambridge University, and his most recent book is
The Spiritual Dimension (2005).
currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Reading,
where he holds an Established Chair of Philosophy. He is also an
Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford. He is (since
1993) Editor of Ratio, the international journal of analytic
philosophy. In 2002-4 he was Stanton Lecturer in the Philosophy of
Religion at Cambridge University, and his most recent book is
The Spiritual Dimension (2005).
