Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology
Product Description
The most comprehensive text in its field, this anthology includes 70 articles in 10 areas of philosophy of religion: Traditional Arguments for the Existence of God; The Argument from Religious Experience; The Problem of Evil; The Attributes of God; Miracles, Death and Immortality; Faith and Reason; Science, Religion, and Evolution; Religious Pluralism; and Religion and Ethics. The articles are arranged in a coherent framework, with the presentation of each area prog… More >>
Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology
Tags: Anthology, Philosophy, Religion
February 7th, 2010 at 8:58 am
The book is very well written but not for the fainthearted in the study of Religion or the philosophy thereof. It can be difficult reading. It is definitely not bedtime reading. It requires thought, concentration and putting aside your own beliefs and being open-minded.
Rating: 5 / 5
February 7th, 2010 at 10:57 am
This is a tremendous anthology. I used to use it to teach philosophy of religion, until I realized what a burden its cost was to my students. Try God, Evil, and Ethics: A Primer in the Philosophy of Religion instead. Just as good. Much cheaper.
Rating: 5 / 5
February 7th, 2010 at 11:58 am
This book, unlike Pojman’s introductory-level “Philosophical Traditions”, is not for the beginner. It relies almost exclusively on primary sources, which are mostly unabridged, unfiltered, and only briefly summarized.
Some readers will find this a good reason to stay away from it; for me, as for any undergraduate who is serious enough about philosophy, it is a big plus. It certainly makes for a challenging read. Certain pieces by Alston, James, and especially Plantinga are extenuating tour-de-forces, particularly Plantinga’s lengthy (and fascinating, regardless of one’s opinion) work on warrant, Christian belief, and foundationalism.
Thankfully, this edition gives more room to issues concerning naturalism and evolutionary biology. While the choice of articles is debatable (particularly Gish), it is still a fair introduction to some essential conceptual issues that go beneath the trite and politicized “creation-evolution controversy.”
Overall, a full appreciation of this anthology requires either former background in philosophy or a really good professor. I had both, so I enjoyed it at its fullest; but I cannot guarantee the same experience for everybody.
Rating: 5 / 5