Author : Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Publisher : OUP USA
Page : 193 pages
File Size : 39,11 MB
Release : 2009-07-02
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 0195337638
A common refrain against atheism and secular humanism is that without belief in God, "everything is permitted." Walter Sinnott-Armstrong dismantles this argument and argues instead that God is not only not essential to morality, but that our moral behavior should be seen as utterly independent of religion. This short, accessible book is on a major aspect of the arguments against atheism and will interest those intrigued by the "new atheism" (Harris, Dawkins, etc).
Author : Kai Nielsen
Publisher : London : Pemberton Books ; Buffalo : Prometheus Books
Page : 122 pages
File Size : 43,66 MB
Release : 1973
Category : Philosophy
ISBN :
Contrary to the claim of many defenders of religion, the author argues that morality cannot be based on religion. If anything, the opposite is partly true, for nothing can be God unless he or it is worthy of worship, and it is our own moral judgment which decided such worth. Men can and do have purposes in a godless world. What we need to ask is whether there is any good sociological or psychological evidence to show that people will despair, lose their sense of identity and purpose, if they are not followers of Christ.
Author : Robert K. Garcia
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 229 pages
File Size : 11,45 MB
Release : 2009
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 0742551709
"Morality and religion: intimately wed, violently opposed, or something else? Discussion of this issue appears in pop culture, the academy, and the media - often generating radically opposed views. At one end of the spectrum are those who think that unless God exists, ethics is unfounded and the moral life is unmotivated. At the other end are those who think that religious belief is unnecessary for - and even a threat to - ethical knowledge and the moral life." "This volume provides an accessible, charitable discussion that represents a range of views along this spectrum. The book begins with a lively debate between Paul Kurtz and William Lane Craig on the question, Is goodness without God good enough? Kurtz defends the affirmative position and Craig the negative. Following the debate are new essays by prominent scholars. These essays comment on the debate and advance the broader discussion of religion and morality. The book closes with final responses from Kurtz and Craig."--BOOK JACKET.
Author : Ronald Dworkin
Publisher : Harvard University Press
Page : 71 pages
File Size : 16,55 MB
Release : 2013-10-01
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 0674728041
In his last book, Ronald Dworkin addresses questions that men and women have asked through the ages: What is religion and what is God’s place in it? What is death and what is immortality? Based on the 2011 Einstein Lectures, Religion without God is inspired by remarks Einstein made that if religion consists of awe toward mysteries which “manifest themselves in the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, and which our dull faculties can comprehend only in the most primitive forms,” then, he, Einstein, was a religious person. Dworkin joins Einstein’s sense of cosmic mystery and beauty to the claim that value is objective, independent of mind, and immanent in the world. He rejects the metaphysics of naturalism—that nothing is real except what can be studied by the natural sciences. Belief in God is one manifestation of this deeper worldview, but not the only one. The conviction that God underwrites value presupposes a prior commitment to the independent reality of that value—a commitment that is available to nonbelievers as well. So theists share a commitment with some atheists that is more fundamental than what divides them. Freedom of religion should flow not from a respect for belief in God but from the right to ethical independence. Dworkin hoped that this short book would contribute to rational conversation and the softening of religious fear and hatred. Religion without God is the work of a humanist who recognized both the possibilities and limitations of humanity.
Author : Richard Holloway
Publisher : Canongate Books
Page : 177 pages
File Size : 32,19 MB
Release : 2000-05-04
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 1847676790
The use of God in any moral debate is so problematic as to be almost worthless. We can argue whether this or that alleged claim emanated from God, but surely it is better to leave God out of the argument altogether and find strong human reasons for supporting the systems that we advocate. Godless Morality is a refreshing, courageous and human-centred justification for contemporary morality.
Author : Julian Baggini
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 137 pages
File Size : 45,90 MB
Release : 2003-06-26
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 0192804243
Do you think of atheists as immoral pessimists who live their lives without meaning, purpose, or values? Think again! Atheism: A Very Short Introduction sets out to dispel the myths that surround atheism and show how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral.
Author : Greg Epstein
Publisher : Harper Collins
Page : 274 pages
File Size : 40,50 MB
Release : 2010-10-26
Category : Religion
ISBN : 006167012X
An inspiring and provocative exploration of an alternative to traditional religion Questions about the role of God and religion in today's world have never been more relevant or felt more powerfully. Many of us are searching for a place where we can find not only facts and scientific reason but also hope and moral courage. For some, answers are found in the divine. For others, including the New Atheists, religion is an "enemy." But in Good Without God, Greg Epstein presents another, more balanced and inclusive response: Humanism. He highlights humanity's potential for goodness and the ways in which Humanists lead lives of purpose and compassion. Humanism can offer the sense of community we want and often need in good times and bad—and it teaches us that we can lead good and moral lives without the supernatural, without higher powers . . . without God.
Author : William Lane Craig
Publisher : Crossway
Page : 418 pages
File Size : 41,6 MB
Release : 2008
Category : Religion
ISBN : 1433501155
This updated edition by one of the world's leading apologists presents a systematic, positive case for Christianity that reflects the latest work in the contemporary hard sciences and humanities. Brilliant and accessible.
Author : Harry J. Gensler
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 205 pages
File Size : 35,39 MB
Release : 2016-05-31
Category : Law
ISBN : 1107052440
This book develops strong versions of divine command theory and natural law and defends the importance of God to morality.
Author : Paul Chamberlain
Publisher : InterVarsity Press
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 18,74 MB
Release : 2009-09-20
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780830874675
Physician-assisted suicide. Racism. Genetic engineering. Abortion. Poverty. Capital punishment. Our culture is beset by a host of vexing ethical questions. Are there any foundational moral principles to guide us? If so, where do they come from? Christians say that we can--and should--be guided by principles derived from a right understanding of God. But skeptics and those with differing religious convictions argue that ethics and morality need not have anything to do with the God of the Old and New Testaments. Are they correct? Can right and wrong exist without God? Can we, in fact, be good or bad without God? In Paul Chamberlain's intriguing, inventive book, these questions are explored by a cast of five: Ted (a Christian) joins Graham (an atheist), Francine (a moral relativist), William (an evolutionist) and Ian (a secular humanist). Together they have been summoned to the home of a mystery host. And together, to the benefit of their host and the reader, they undertake a fascinating examination of truth, conduct, culture--and a few other things that matter.
