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Cover

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Fourth Edition

Author Brian Davies

Publication Date - September 2020

ISBN: 9780190054762

368 pages
Paperback
5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches

In Stock

A thorough and precise introduction to the philosophy of religion presented in a remarkably clear narrative

Description

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion provides a critical examination of the fundamental questions posed by religious belief: What does it mean to believe in God? Can God's existence be proven? Is there life after death? Brian Davies considers these questions and many others, sometimes offering provocative answers of his own, but more often giving students room to form their own conclusions. In addition to exploring the views of several classic philosophers of religion--including Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Leibniz, Hume, and Kant--Davies surveys a variety of contemporary thinkers. Revised and updated to cover the latest developments in the field, the new edition of this influential textbook provides an ideal introduction for all students of the philosophy of religion.

New to this Edition

  • Offers substantial new content on notions of reason and evidence, divine simplicity, morality and religion, and life after death
  • Further develops and illustrates the distinction between "classical theism" and "theistic personalism"
  • Provides updated bibliographical material

Features

  • Offers an accessible, comprehensive overview of the most important issues in the philosophy of religion
  • Covers a wide range of historical ideas and arguments, including those of Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Leibniz, Hume, Paley, and Kant
  • Introduces students to contemporary ideas and arguments, including those of Plantinga, Flew, Swinburne, and Ruse
  • Presents arguments impartially so that students are encouraged to think critically and come to their own conclusions
  • Provides discussion questions and detailed "Further Reading" sections at the end of every chapter

About the Author(s)

Brian Davies is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University.

Reviews

"This is the best introductory philosophy of religion book on the market today. If you're looking for a careful, readable, and student-friendly overview of the most important issues in the philosophy of religion, this is the book for you."--Francis J. Beckwith, Baylor University

"Davies's book is better written and more accessible to undergraduates than its competitors. It also explicates well the central historical debates, objections, and responses in the philosophy of religion."--Matthew Braddock, University of Tennessee at Martin

"This is an amazingly deep book yet still simple enough for all majors to understand."--Aleksander Santrac, Washington Adventist University

Table of Contents

    Acknowledgements

    Introduction

    1. Whose God? Which Tradition?

    2. Philosophy and Religious Belief

    3. Cosmological Arguments

    4. Design Arguments

    5. Ontological Arguments

    6. Experience and God

    7. Talking About God

    8. Divine Simplicity

    9. Omnipotence and Omniscience

    10. Miracles

    11. God and Evil

    12. Morality and Religion

    13. Life After Death

    General Bibliography

    Index

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