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For over twenty years, Beverley Clack and Brian R. Clack's distinctive and thought-provoking introduction to the philosophy of religion has been of enormous value to students and scholars, providing an approach to the subject that is bold and refreshingly alternative.
This revised and updated edition retains the accessibility which makes the book popular, while furthering its distinctive argument regarding the human dimension of religion. The central emphasis of the philosophy of religion - the concept of God, and the arguments for and against God's existence - is reflected in thorough analyses, while alternative approaches to traditional philosophical theism are explored. The treatments of both the miraculous and immortality have been revised and expanded, and the concluding chapter updates the investigation of how philosophy of religion might be conducted in an age defined by religious terrorism.
Clear, systematic and highly critical, the third edition of The Philosophy of Religion will continue to be essential reading for students and scholars of this fascinating and important subject.
List of contents
Preface Acknowledgements
1 RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
I What is Religion?
II Defining the Philosophy of Religion
III Developing the Concept of God
2 NATURAL THEOLOGY
I Arguments for the Existence of God
II The Divine Attributes
III The Human Dimension of Natural Theology
3 CHALLENGES TO THEISM
I Evil
II Natural Histories of Religion
III Religious Language and Verification
4 ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
I The Aims and Practice of Revisionary Theology
II Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Religion
III Feminism and the Philosophy of Religion
5 MIRACLES AND IMMORTALITY
I Miracles
II Immortality
6 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION IN AN AGE OF TERROR
I Religious Belief and Terrorism
II Terror, Transience and the Human Animal: A Revised Account of Religion
Conclusion: Seeing the Blossom
Notes
Index
About the author
Beverley Clack is Professor in the Philosophy of Religion at Oxford Brookes University.
Brian R. Clack is Professor of Philosophy and A. Vassiliadis Director of the Humanities Center at the University of San Diego.
Summary
For over twenty years, Beverley Clack and Brian R. Clack's distinctive and thought-provoking introduction to the philosophy of religion has been of enormous value to students and scholars, providing an approach to the subject that is bold and refreshingly alternative.
This revised and updated edition retains the accessibility which makes the book popular, while furthering its distinctive argument regarding the human dimension of religion. The central emphasis of the philosophy of religion - the concept of God, and the arguments for and against God's existence - is reflected in thorough analyses, while alternative approaches to traditional philosophical theism are explored. The treatments of both the miraculous and immortality have been revised and expanded, and the concluding chapter updates the investigation of how philosophy of religion might be conducted in an age defined by religious terrorism.
Clear, systematic and highly critical, the third edition of The Philosophy of Religion will continue to be essential reading for students and scholars of this fascinating and important subject.
Report
'An engaging and accessible book which gives a clear, critical account of some of the standard topics in philosophy of religion, and also includes stimulating discussion of how religious belief relates to the very human problems of identity, transience and mortality.'
John Cottingham, University of Reading
'This lucid introduction goes beyond the common approaches in Anglo-American philosophy of religion to include engagements with contemporary social movements (feminism, religious violence). The presentations of the usual topics - God's existence and attributes, miracles, evil, death and immortality - show clearly and fairly the shapes of the debates on these issues. By basing their approach in religion as a human (but not always humane) experience, the Clacks provide a splendid path into the field.'
Terrence W. Tilley, Fordham University
