The miracle of theism - Arguments for and against the existence of God

John L. Mackie

Oxford University Press

1982

214 páginas

7h 8m

ISBN-1: 0

This book discusses, carefully but in a way that the general reader can follow, the main arguments for and against the existence of God. These include the traditional ontological, cosmological, and design arguments, the arguments from consciousness and from morality, and on the other side the problem of evil. They also include Berkeley's distinctive case for theism, and Hume's argument against there being any adequate evidence to support the belief in anything miraculous. As well as the older versions, newer versions of the traditional arguments and newer approaches are examined. These include Plantinga's modal version of the ontological argument, Swinburne's inductive version of several arguments, the reliance on religious experience, the arguments of Pascal and William James for voluntary belief, and Kierkegaard's advocacy of non-rational commitment. Also treated are the suggestion of Wittgenstein and some of his followers that religion does not need factual assertions, and Leslie's Platonic view that creative value can replace a personal god. Natural explanations of religion suggested by Hume, Feuerbach, Marx and Freud are taken into account, as well as Hans Kung's Thesis that belief in God is needed to save the modern mind from an all-consuming nihilism. The conclusion is reached that the arguments against them outweigh those in its favour, but a full and fair hearing is given to the opposite opinion. The book is thus an example of how philosophical thought can be brought to bear upon an issue of great importance and almost universal concern.