Atheism and Theism

by J. J. C. Smart, J. J. Haldane

Overview

In this book two philosophers, each committed to unambiguous versions of belief and disbelief, debate the central issues of atheism and theism.

• Considers one of the oldest and most widely disputed philosophical questions: is there a God?
• Presents the atheism/theism issue in the form of philosophical debate between two highly regarded scholars, widely praised for the clarity and verve of their work.
• This second edition contains new essays by each philosopher, responding to criticisms and building on their previous work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780631232582
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/13/2002
Series:	Great Debates in Philosophy , #6
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.04(d)

About the Author

J. J. C. Smart is Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University. He is the author of many books, including Philosophy and Scientific Realism, Ethics, Persuasion and Truth and (with Bernard Williams) Utilitarianism: For and Against. J. J. Haldane is Professor of Philosophy in the University of St Andrews and Director of the Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs. He recently held the Royden Davis Chair in Humanities at Georgetown University. He has published widely in metaphysics, philosophy of mind and social philosophy. He is co-editor of several volumes and author of The Intelligent Person's Guide to Religion (2003).

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition.

Introduction: J. J. Haldane and J. J. C. Smart.

Part 1: Atheism and Theism: J. J. C. Smart.

1. Introduction.

2. Theism, Spirituality and Science.

3. The New Teleology and the Old.

4. Pantheism.

5. Fine Tuning and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle.

6. The Argument from the Appearance of Design.

7. God as an Ethical Principle.

8. The Argument from Contingency.

9. The Argument from Religious Experience.

10. Pascal's Wager.

11. Miracles.

12. Higher Criticism of the New Testament.

13. The Problem of Evil.

14. Historical Theism and Metaphysical Theism.

Part 2: Atheism and Theism: J. J. Haldane.

1. Introduction.

2. Theism and Science.

3. Some Varieties of Explanation.

4. 'Old' Teleology.

5. 'New' Teleology.

6. The Cause of Things.

7. God and the World.

8. God, Good and Evil.

9. Liberty and Providence.

10. Theism - Philosophical and Religious.

Part 3: Reply to Haldane: J. J. C. Smart.

1. Methodology.

2. Representation and Intentionality.

3. Consciousness.

4. Chicken and Egg.

5. Eternity and Sempeternity.

6. Theism and the Problem of Evil.

Part 4: Reply to Smart: J. J. Haldane.

1. Methodology.

2. The Existence of God.

3. Metaphysical Matters.

4. Reason, Faith and Revelation.

5. A Religious Conclusion.

Afterword: J. J. C. Smart and J. J. Haldane.

Part 5 Further Reflections on Atheism for the Second Edition: J.J.C. Smart.

Part 6 Further Relections on Theism for the Second Edition: J. J. Haldane.

Bibliography.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Smart and Haldane are both remarkable philosophers. Each in his own way possesses the rare combination of formidable dialectical skills, an original vision for philosophy, and immense personal integrity ... I do not see how anyone could read this book and not feel that it represents the finest kind of intellectual encounter ..."Hilary Putnam, Harvard University

"Philosophers of both theistic and atheistic persuasions will find this important new debate on theism particularly interesting for themselves and for their students. Haldane an Smart show that the dispute over the existence of God is very much alive among the best philosophers at the end of the twentieth century." Linda Zagzebski, University of Oklahoma

"This book show contemporary academic philosophy at its best." Scientific and Medical Network Review

Editorial Reviews

"Smart and Haldane are both remarkable philosophers. Each in his own way possesses the rare combination of formidable dialectical skills, an original vision for philosophy, and immense personal integrity ... I do not see how anyone could read this book and not feel that it represents the finest kind of intellectual encounter ..."Hilary Putnam, Harvard University

"Philosophers of both theistic and atheistic persuasions will find this important new debate on theism particularly interesting for themselves and for their students. Haldane an Smart show that the dispute over the existence of God is very much alive among the best philosophers at the end of the twentieth century." Linda Zagzebski, University of Oklahoma

"This book show contemporary academic philosophy at its best." Scientific and Medical Network Review

From the Publisher

Philosophers Smart and Haldane debate the enduring question of whether or not there is a God. Smart contends that theism is philosophically untenable and seeks to explain metaphysical truth in the light of total science. Haldane argues that the existence of the world and the possibility of our knowing about it depend on the existence of a creating, sustaining, personal God. Each responds to the other's argument. No score card. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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