Exploring Philosophy of Religion An Introductory Anthology

by Cahn, Steven M.

• ISBN13: 9780195340853
• ISBN10: 019534085X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-02-06
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

What are the inherent claims that lie at the core of religion? Which ofthem are defensible by reason, and which are not? Potential answers to thesequestions and more, from influential philosophers past and present, may be foundin this short book edited by Steven M. Cahn. Featuring fifty-two classic andcontemporary readings, Exploring Philosophy of Religion: Text and Readings is atopically-organized anthology that presents broad coverage of seven major areasin the philosophy of religion - the concept of God, the existence of God,religious language, miracles and mysticism, belief in God, resurrection andimmortality, and religious pluralism - in a clear and accessible format. Withguiding introductory material from Professor Cahn, each of the readings has beencarefully selected and edited for maximum clarity and comprehensiveness; onlythe most essential material is included. To further foster understanding, thetext also features an appendix consisting of Professor Cahn's monograph, God,Reason, and Religion, which provides a synthesis and interpretation of thecrucial issues raised throughout the readings.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. viii
Introduction	p. 1
The Concept of God
God and Goodness	p. 5
God's Omnipotence	p. 8
God's Foreknowledge and Free Will	p. 11
God's Omniscience and Contingent Events	p. 13
Does God Know the Future?	p. 16
Does God Change?	p. 20
God and Forgiveness	p. 25
God and the Concept of Worship	p. 38
The Existence of God
The Ontological Argument	p. 47
The Ontological Argument: A Restatement	p. 51
The Ontological Argument: A Critique	p. 53
The Ontological Argument: An Assessment	p. 55
The Five Ways	p. 59
The Cosmological Argument	p. 62
The Cosmological Argument: An Assessment	p. 71
The Argument to Design	p. 74
The Argument to Design and the Problem of Evil	p. 78
The Problem of Evil	p. 97
A Defense of Atheism	p. 103
Why God Allows Evil	p. 109
Suffering and Evil	p. 120
A Reply to Schlesinger	p. 123
Theism and Modern Science	p. 124
Religious Language
Negative Attributes	p. 133
The Use of Analogy	p. 135
The Inadequacy of Analogy	p. 136
Positive Attributes	p. 139
Experience and Metaphor	p. 142
Metaphors Without Meaning	p. 145
Miracles and Mysticism
Of Miracles	p. 151
On Miracles	p. 157
Mysticism	p. 162
Perceiving God	p. 174
Perceiving God: A Critique	p. 183
Belief in God
The Wager	p. 191
Pascal's Wager: A Critique	p. 193
The Ethics of Belief	p. 195
The Will to Believe	p. 201
The Will to Believe: A Critique	p. 214
Belief Without Argument	p. 218
Belief Without Argument: A Critique	p. 227
Faith	p. 230
Faith and Reason	p. 234
Theology and Falsification	p. 238
The Hiddenness of God	p. 248
Resurrection and Immortality
Resurrection	p. 257
Life After Death	p. 259
Do We Need Immortality?	p. 270
Religious Pluralism
The Dimensions of Religion	p. 285
Religious Pluralism and Salvation	p. 292
A Defense of Religious Exclusivism	p. 304
Religion Versus the Religious	p. 311
Conclusion	p. 325
God, Reason, and Religion	p. 327
Index	p. 369
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