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Atheism Summary

Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know (R) by Michael Ruse (Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, Florida State University)

Over the last decade, New Atheists such as Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens have pushed the issue of atheism to the forefront of public discussion. Yet very few of the ensuing debates and discussions have managed to provide a full and objective treatment of the subject. Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know provides a balanced look at the topic, considering atheism historically, philosophically, theologically, sociologically and psychologically. Written in an easily accessible style, the book uses a question and answer format to examine the history of atheism, arguments for and against atheism, the relationship between religion and science, and the issue of the meaning of life-and whether or not one can be a happy and satisfied atheist. Above all, the author stresses that the atheism controversy is not just a matter of the facts, but a matter of burning moral concern, both about the stand one should take on the issues and the consequences of one's commitment.

Atheism Reviews

interesting and thought-provoking * Guardian, GrrlScientist *
Fully aware of how tedious tracts on either theology or atheism can be, Michael Ruse sets out not to be boring. He succeeds! As a nonbeliever who hesitates to call himself an atheist, he also strives in this book to be balanced and fair to his opponents. I'll let other readers decide whether he succeeds or not, but I can say that even where I disagree with him, I find his book much more informed and compelling than the recent, much less educated New Atheist putdowns of people of faith. Before reading Dennett, Dawkins, Harris or Hitchens, read Michael Ruse. * John F. Haught, Professor Emeritus of Theology, Georgetown University *
Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know is an excellent scholarly yet very readable account of an important subject, which reveals its complexity and contradictions along with those of the human mind itself. * Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University *

About Michael Ruse (Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, Florida State University)

Michael Ruse was born in 1940 in England. Raised in a Quaker family, he went to Bootham School in York and then to the University of Bristol, where he majored in mathematics and philosophy. In 1962 he emigrated to Canada and did graduate work at McMaster University in Ontario. He returned to Bristol to do his doctoral degree in philosophy. He taught at the University of Guelph from 1965 to 2000, and then to avoid compulsory retirement moved south to Florida State University. He is the author or editor of over fifty books, the founding editor of Biology and Philosophy, the recipient of four honorary degrees, a Guggenheim Fellow, a Gifford Lecturer, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ; Prologue ; Chapter One: From the Greeks to the Enlightenment ; Chapter Two: From the Enlightenment to the Present ; Chapter Three: Statistics ; Chapter Four: God and Humans ; Chapter Five: Belief ; Chapter Six: The Matter of Science ; Chapter Seven: Questions for the Christian ; Chapter Eight: Are there Good Reasons to Believe? ; Chapter Nine: Alternative Religions ; Chapter Ten: Naturalistic Explanations ; Chapter Eleven: Is Religion Evil? ; Chapter Twelve: The Meaningful Life ; Envoi ; Bibliography ; Index

Additional information

GOR013227618
9780199334582
0199334587
Atheism: What Everyone Needs to Know (R) by Michael Ruse (Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Program in the History and Philosophy of Science, Florida State University)
Used - Like New
Paperback
Oxford University Press Inc
20150226
304
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

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