Philosophers without Gods Meditations on Atheism and the Secular Life

by Antony, Louise M.

• ISBN13: 9780199743414
• ISBN10: 019974341X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-07
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

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 Godsdemonstrates 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.

Author Biography

Louise M. Antony is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Acknowledgements
Part One: Journeys
1. Faith and Reason, the Perpetual War: Ruminations of a Fool, Stewart Shapiro
2. From Yeshiva Bochur to Secular Humanist, Joseph Levine
3. Religio Philosophi, Daniel Garber
4. For the Love of Any Reason, Louise M. Antony
5. Life without God: Some Personal Costs, Daniel M. Farrell
6. Overcoming Christianity, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
7. On Becoming a Heretic, Edwin Curley
8. Mere Stranger, Marvin Belzer
9. An Atheists' Fundamentalism, James Tappenden
10. Thank Goodness!, Daniel C. Dennott
Part Two: Reflections
11. Transcendence without God: On Atheism and Invisibility, Anthony Simon Laden
12. An Aristotelian Life, Marcia Homiak
13. Without the Net of Providence: Atheism and the Human Adventure, Kenneth A. Taylor
14. Disenchantment, David Owens
15. Religion and Respect, Simon Blackburn
16. Reasonable Religious Disagreements, Richard Feldman
17. If God Is Dead, Is Everything Permitted?, Elizabeth Secord Anderson
18. Divine Evil, David Lewis
19. Meta-atheism: Religious Avowal as Self-Deception, Georges Rey
20. Faith and Fanaticism, Jonathan E. Adler
Notes
References
Notes on Contributors
Index