Philosophers without Gods

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. Collectively, these essays highlight the richness of atheistic belief--not only as a valid alternative to religion, but as a profoundly fulfilling and moral way of life.

ISBN 0195173074   Pages 332 ISBN13 9780195173079 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Oxford University Press Inc   Weight (grammes) 665 Imprint Oxford University Press Inc   Published in New York Format Hardback   Height (mm) 244 Publication date 30 Aug 2007   Width (mm) 167 Library of Congress BL2710   Spine width (mm) 30 DEWEY 211.8   Academic level Undergraduate, Postgraduate DEWEY edition DC22

1		Faith and reason, the perpetual war : ruminations of a fool by Stewart Shapiro		3
2		From Yeshiva Bochur to secular humanist by Joseph Levine		17
3		Religio philosophi by Daniel Garber		32
4		For the love of reason by Louise M. Antony		41
5		Life without God : some personal costs by Daniel M. Farrell		59
6		Overcoming Christianity by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong		69
7		On becoming a heretic by Edwin Curley		80
8		Mere stranger by Marvin Belzer		90
9		An atheist's fundamentalism by James Tappenden		104
10		Thank goodness! by Daniel C. Dennett		113
11		Transcendence without God : on atheism and invisibility by Anthony Simon Laden		121
12		An Aristotelian life by Marcia Homiak		133
13		Without the net of providence : atheism and the human adventure by Kenneth A. Taylor		150
14		Disenchantment by David Owens		165
15		Religion and respect by Simon Blackburn		179
16		Reasonable religious disagreements by Richard Feldman		194
17		If God is dead, is everything permitted? by Elizabeth Secord Anderson		215
18		Divine evil by David Lewis		231
19		Meta-atheism : religious avowal as self-deception by Georges Rey		243
20		Faith and fanaticism by Jonathan E. Adler		266

...offers an invariably lively and often stimulating cross-section of philosophical perspectives on atheism. John Kinsey, Philosophical Investigations

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