Details
The word ‘atheism’ is derived from the Greek: a meaning ‘not’ is conjoined with theos meaning ‘god’. So atheism may be defined as follows: it is the belief that there is no God.
Unfortunately definition of terms is rarely this straightforward. In this educational book, Michael Palmer undertakes to analyse, develop and discuss the complex and too often reduced notion of atheism. In spite of the consciously atheist point of view adopted by the author, the volume remains critical and objective, making religious, philosophical and political concepts around atheism understandable. Even though the book clearly addresses a young audience, any kind of reader will find food for thought in this vivid and detailed work.
Unfortunately definition of terms is rarely this straightforward. In this educational book, Michael Palmer undertakes to analyse, develop and discuss the complex and too often reduced notion of atheism. In spite of the consciously atheist point of view adopted by the author, the volume remains critical and objective, making religious, philosophical and political concepts around atheism understandable. Even though the book clearly addresses a young audience, any kind of reader will find food for thought in this vivid and detailed work.
Table of Contents
1. The Meaning of Atheism
2. Creation
3. The Design of the World
4. The Argument from Evil
5. The Moral Argument
6. Miracles
7. The Impulse to Believe
8. Disproving God
Appendix
2. Creation
3. The Design of the World
4. The Argument from Evil
5. The Moral Argument
6. Miracles
7. The Impulse to Believe
8. Disproving God
Appendix
Reviews & Quotes
"“The style is clear and approachable, and the reading doesn’t require specific knowledge of the philosophical field. [...] The aim is to teach students how to think logically in order to make them able to critically judge various theistic/creationist/fatalistic arguments that religions advance in their support and don’t let them be deceived by logically incoherent and slanted reasoning. [...] The last chapter is particularly interesting as it deals with recent developments of disproof Atheism – by contemporary philosophers as Alfred j. Ayer, John N. Findlay, Michael Martin, Nicholas Everitt, etc.”"
Enrica Rota
L’Ateo (Number 4, July 2013)