Belief in God: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion by T.J. Mawson (Eng

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Providing an introduction to the philosophy of religion, this book offers coverage of the key issues, from ideas about God's nature and character to arguments for and against His existence. It is suitable as a text for beginning undergraduate courses, and useful for those thinking about these important questions.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Belief in God answers two questions: what, if anything, is it that Jews, Christians, and Muslims are agreeing about when they join in claiming that there is a God; and what, if any, prospects are there for rationally defending or attacking this claim? In the context of a sustained argument for particular answers to these questions, Tim Mawson tackles many of the most prominent topics in the philosophy of religion. He argues that thosewho believe that there is a God are best interpreted as believing that there is a being who is essentially personal, transcendent, immanent, omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, perfectly free, perfectly good, andnecessary; and non-essentially creator of the world and value; revealer of Himself; and offerer of everlasting life. Having explored the meaning and consistency of this conception of God in the first half of the book, Mawson goes on to consider whether or not belief or the absence of belief in such a God might be the sort of thing that does not rationally require argument and, if not, what the criteria for a good argument for or against such a God's existence might be. Having established somecriteria, he uses them to evaluate specific arguments for and against the existence of such a God. He looks at the Argument to Design; the Cosmological Argument; the Ontological Argument; the Argumentfrom Religious Experience; the Argument from Apparent Miracles; the Problem of Evil; and Pascal's Wager. Finally, he explores the relation between faith and reason.In the course of his argument, Mawson makes striking new claims and defends or attacks established positions in new ways. His conversational style, lively wit, and enlightening examples make Belief in God as pleasurable as it is instructive and thought-provoking. It makes an ideal text for beginningundergraduate courses and for anyone thinking about these most important of questions.

Author Biography

T. J. Mawson is at St Peter's College, University of Oxford.

Table of Contents

IntroductionThe Concept of God1: Personhood, Transcendence, Immanence2: Omnipotence, Omniscience, Eternality3: Perfect Freedom, Perfect Goodness, Necessity4: Creator of the World, Creator of Value5: Revealer, Offerer of Everlasting LifeThe Existence of God6: Arguing For and Against the Existence of God7: The Ontological Argument8: The Argument to Design9: The Cosmological Argument10: The Argument from Religious Experience11: The Argument from Reports of Apparent Miracles12: The Problem of EvilFaithConclusion

Review

Anyone working in the analytical tradition of philosophy of religion, at any level, would find something of interest in the book: both as teaching material (I know from experience how much students enjoy some of the experiments), and as a contribution in its own right. Philosophy a lively and engaging introduction to the philosophy of religion...makes some significant contributions to contemporary debates in the subject, and which will provide a great deal of discussion among those working in this field ... his style is contagiously enthusiastic ... Mawson has presented a provocative and stimulating argument concerning the nature and existence of God Brian Clack, Ars Disputandi The conversational and relaxed style, as of a good undergraduate supervision, full of lively illustrations in the form of little parables, appeals. But the discussion moves to a higher level than the commendation suggests, and T.J. Mawson voices interesting and provocative thoughts. Times Literary Supplement

Long Description

Belief in God answers two questions: what, if anything, is it that Jews, Christians, and Muslims are agreeing about when they join in claiming that there is a God; and what, if any, prospects are there for rationally defending or attacking this claim? In the context of a sustained argument for particular answers to these questions, Tim Mawson tackles many of the most prominent topics in the philosophy of religion. He argues that thosewho believe that there is a God are best interpreted as believing that there is a being who is essentially personal, transcendent, immanent, omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, perfectly free, perfectly good, and necessary; and non-essentially creator of the world and value; revealer of Himself; and offerer ofeverlasting life. Having explored the meaning and consistency of this conception of God in the first half of the book, Mawson goes on to consider whether or not belief or the absence of belief in such a God might be the sort of thing that does not rationally require argument and, if not, what the criteria for a good argument for or against such a God's existence might be. Having established some criteria, he uses them to evaluate specific arguments for and against the existence of such a God.He looks at the Argument to Design; the Cosmological Argument; the Ontological Argument; the Argument from Religious Experience; the Argument from Apparent Miracles; the Problem of Evil; and Pascal's Wager. Finally, he explores the relation between faith and reason.In the courseof his argument, Mawson makes striking new claims and defends or attacks established positions in new ways. His conversational style, lively wit, and enlightening examples make Belief in God as pleasurable as it is instructive and thought-provoking. It makes an ideal text for beginning undergraduate courses and for anyone thinking about these most important of questions.

Review Quote

The conversational and relaxed style, as of a good undergraduate supervision, full of lively illustrations in the form of little parables, appeals. But the discussion moves to a higher level than the commendation suggests, and T.J. Mawson voices interesting and provocative thoughts.

Feature

Brilliantly clear and comprehensive coverageTackles the concept of God as well as arguments for and against His existenceMawson writes in an accessible, friendly style, and with generous use of examplesIdeal for undergraduate courses

Details ISBN0199284954 Author T.J. Mawson Short Title BELIEF IN GOD Language English ISBN-10 0199284954 ISBN-13 9780199284955 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 210 Year 2005 Subtitle An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion Place of Publication Oxford Country of Publication United Kingdom Illustrations black & white illustrations Affiliation Research psychologist, Collaborative Research Centre, Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Heidelberg DOI 10.1604/9780199284955 UK Release Date 2005-08-25 AU Release Date 2005-08-25 NZ Release Date 2005-08-25 Edited by Jan Weinhold Birth 1980 Death 1955 Position Research psychologist Qualifications QC Pages 284 Publisher Oxford University Press Publication Date 2005-08-25 Alternative 9780199276318 Audience Professional & Vocational Imprint Oxford University Press We've got this

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