Miracle Myth - Why Belief in the Resurrection and the Supernatural Is Unjustified

Helping us think more critically about our belief in the improbable, The Miracle Myth breaks down our mythmaking strategies to better understand how attempts to justify belief in the supernatural fall short. Through arguments and accessible analysis, Larry Shapiro sharpens our critical faculties so we become less susceptible to tales of myths and miracles and learn how, ultimately, our belief in them is counterproductive. Shapiro acknowledges that myths have value. They may even provide insight into our place in nature. Even so, if our understanding of reality is formed through the fallacy of myth, our ties to the world fray. Shapiro's investigation reminds us of the importance of evidence and rational thinking as we explore the unknown.

List of contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Justified and Unjustified Belief
2. Miracles
3. Justifying Belief in Supernatural Causes
4. Justifying Belief in Improbable Events
5. Evidence for Miracles
6. Jesus's Resurrection
7. Should We Care That Beliefs in Miracles Are Unjustified?
Appendix 1. What Is Supernatural?
Appendix 2. Supernatural Causes
Notes
Further Reading
Index

About the author

Larry Shapiro

Summary

Questioning our need to believe in the miraculous and the mythical.

Report

"Most people, at least in the United States, believe in miracles. But should they? In this easy to read, often witty, book the philosopher Larry Shapiro demonstrates that there is no scientific or logical justification for doing so. I suspect that The Miracle Myth will convert few true believers, but even they should benefit from reading it." - Ronald L. Numbers, University of Wisconsin and editor of Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths about Science and Religion

Product details

• Authors: Lawrence Shapiro, Larry Shapiro, Lawrence Shapiro, Lawrence A. Shapiro, Shapiro Lawrence
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2016
• EAN: 9780231178402
• ISBN: 978-0-231-17840-2
• No. of pages: 192
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; SCIENCE / History, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / Modern, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, RELIGION / Religion & Science, Philosophy of Science, History of Science, Western philosophy from c 1800, Religion and science, Religion & science, Western Philosophy, From C 1900 -