Introducing Philosophy of Religion

by Meister; Chad

• ISBN13: 9780415403276
• ISBN10: 0415403278
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-05
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Does God exist? What about evil and suffering? How does faith relate to science? Is there life after death? These questions fascinate everyone and lie at the heart of philosophy of religion. Chad Meister offers an up-to-date introduction to the field, focussing not only on traditional debates but also on contemporary concepts such as the intelligent creator. Key topics, such as divine reality and the self and religious experience, are discussed in relation to different faiths. Introducing Philosophy of Religion: ⬢ offers a lucid overview of contemporary philosophy of religion ⬢ introduces the key figures in the history of philosophy of religion ⬢ explores the impact of religious diversity and pluralism ⬢ examines the main arguments for and against the existence of God and the nature of the divine ⬢ looks at science and issues of faith and reason ⬢ explores how the different religions approach the concept of life after death. The wealth of textbook features, including tables of essential information, questions for reflection, summaries, glossary and recommendations for further reading make the book ideal for student use. Along with its accompanying Reader, this is the perfect introductory package for undergraduate philosophy of religion courses. Visit the book's companion website at www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415403276. Features include: An interactive glossary A timeline Powerpoint slides on all the chapters Chapter outlines Lists of objectives for study

Author Biography

Chad Meister is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Philosophy Program at Bethel College, Indiana.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	p. x
Preface	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Scope and structure	p. 2
Pedagogical features and resources for further exploration	p. 3
Religion and the philosophy of religion	p. 5
Religion and the world religions	p. 6
Philosophy and the philosophy of religion	p. 8
Philosophy of religion timeline	p. 10
Religious beliefs and practices	p. 14
Summary	p. 19
Questions for review/discussion	p. 20
Further reading	p. 20
Websites	p. 21
Religious diversity and pluralism	p. 23
The diversity of religions	p. 24
Religious inclusivism and exclusivism	p. 26
Religious pluralism	p. 31
Religious relativism	p. 35
Evaluating religious systems	p. 37
Religious tolerance	p. 41
Summary	p. 42
Questions for review/discussion	p. 43
Further reading	p. 43
Websites	p. 44
Conceptions of ultimate reality	p. 45
Ultimate Reality: the Absolute and the Void	p. 46
Ultimate Reality: a personal God	p. 51
Summary	p. 60
Questions for review/discussion	p. 61
Further Reading	p. 61
Websites	p. 63
Cosmological arguments for God's existence	p. 65
The argument from contingency	p. 66
The sufficient reason argument	p. 72
The Kalam argument	p. 76
A cosmological argument for atheism	p. 84
Summary	p. 87
Questions for review/discussion	p. 88
Further Reading	p. 88
Websites	p. 89
Teleological arguments for God's existence	p. 91
Paley's design argument	p. 92
A fine-tuning argument	p. 97
An intelligent design argument	p. 101
Summary	p. 107
Questions for review/discussion	p. 108
Further reading	p. 109
Websites	p. 109
Ontological arguments for God's existence	p. 111
Anselm's ontological argument	p. 112
Plantinga's modal ontological argument	p. 118
Summary	p. 122
Questions for review/discussion	p. 124
Further reading	p. 124
Websites	p. 125
Problems of evil	p. 127
Sketching the terrain	p. 128
Theoretical problems of evil	p. 132
The existential problem of evil	p. 138
Three theodicies	p. 139
Summary	p. 144
Questions for review/discussion	p. 145
Further Reading	p. 145
Websites	p. 146
Science, faith, and reason	p. 147
Religion and science	p. 148
Religious belief and justification	p. 153
Summary	p. 164
Questions for review/discussion	p. 165
Further Reading	p. 166
Websites	p. 167
Religious experience	p. 169
The nature and diversity of religious experience	p. 170
Religious experience and justification	p. 176
Challenges to religious experience as justification for religious beliefs	p. 179
Scientific explanations of religious experience	p. 182
Summary	p. 184
Questions for review/discussion	p. 185
Further Reading	p. 186
Websites	p. 187
The self, death and the afterlife	p. 189
Conceptions of the self	p. 190
Reincarnation and karma	p. 196
Arguments for immortality	p. 198
Arguments against immortality	p. 201
Summary	p. 204
Questions for review/discussion	p. 205
Further reading	p. 206
Websites	p. 207
Glossary	p. 209
Notes	p. 217
Index	p. 237
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