Philosophy and Religion

by Anthony O'Hear (Editor)

Overview

Surprising as it might have seemed not so long ago, in recent times religion has once again become a focus of lively debate. The exchanges between those for and against religion have, however, often thrown up heat, rather than light. As an attempted corrective, The Royal Institute of Philosophy asked a number of distinguished philosophers who are interested in religion to contribute to its annual lecture series for 2008–2009. This volume contains essays based on the lectures. The topics covered include natural theology, for and against, miracles, the debates about Darwinism, spirituality, sacrifice and the sacred, the Incarnation and religion and pluralism. Vigorously argued as they are, these essays will undoubtedly take the debates forward in a constructive way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107615984
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/07/2011
Series:	Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements , #68
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Anthony O'Hear is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckinghamshire, Director of The Royal Institute of Philosophy and Editor of the journal Philosophy.

Table of Contents

Introduction Anthony O'Hear; 1. God as the simplest explanation of the Universe Richard Swinburne; 2. Explaining the fine tuning of the Universe to us and the fine tuning of us to the Universe T. J. Mawson; 3. What can God explain? Gerard J. Hughes; 4. One step toward God Brian Leftow; 5. What do religious believers believe? Richard Norman; 6. With and without absurdity: Moore, magic and McTaggart's cat Peter Cave; 7. Twenty questions about Hume's 'Of Miracles' Peter Millican; 8. Darwinism, purpose and meaning Mary Midgley; 9. Christianity and the errors of our time: Simone Weil on atheism and idolatry Mario Von Der Ruhr; 10. Spirituality for the godless Michael McGhee; 11. Living in the light of religious ideals Clare Carlisle; 12. Sacrifice, transcendence and 'making sacred' Douglas Hedley; 13. The incarnation: divine embodiment and the divided mind Robin Le Poidevin; 14. Religious tolerance, diversity, and pluralism Peter Byrne.