The Existence of God: A Philosophical Introduction 1st Edition by Yujin Nagasawa (PDF)

Description

Does God exist? What are the various arguments that seek to prove the existence of God? Can atheists refute these arguments? The Existence of God: A Philosophical Introduction assesses classical and contemporary arguments concerning the existence of God:the ontological argument, introducing the nature of existence, possible worlds, parody objections, and the evolutionary origin of the concept of God the cosmological argument, discussing metaphysical paradoxes of infinity, scientific models of the universe, and philosophers’ discussions about ultimate reality and the meaning of life the design argument, addressing Aquinas’s Fifth Way, Darwin’s theory of evolution, the concept of irreducible complexity, and the current controversy over intelligent design and school education. Bringing the subject fully up to date, Yujin Nagasawa explains these arguments in relation to recent research in cognitive science, the mathematics of infinity, big bang cosmology, and debates about ethics and morality in light of contemporary political and social events.The book also includes fascinating insights into the passions, beliefs and struggles of the philosophers and scientists who have tackled the challenge of proving the existence of God, including Thomas Aquinas, and Kurt Gödel – who at the end of his career as a famous mathematician worked on a secret project to prove the existence of God.The Existence of God: A Philosophical Introduction is an ideal gateway to the philosophy of religion and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in arguments about the existence of God.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review ‘Exceptionally well written, clear, and informed. The material is engaging and approachable, with technicalities skilfully explained. It will be a valuable text for undergraduates taking courses in philosophy of religion.’ – Keith Parsons, University of Houston – Clear Lake, USA‘Nagasawa gives interesting and historically-nuanced perspectives on some of the great arguments in the Philosophy of Religion, writing in a clear and accessible way about some of the most opaque and inaccessible issues to which the human mind may direct itself.’ – T. J. Mawson, University of Oxford, UK‘Yujin Nagasawa’s clear and accessible writing style and mastery of the subject matter make this an engaging read. Those looking for an introductory survey of the arguments for the existence of God will find reading it to be a rewarding experience.’ – Andrei Buckareff, Marist College, USA‘This is a very lucid discussion of all the main philosophical arguments for the existence of God, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. It will appeal not only to professional philosophers but to many other readers as well.’ – John Hick, University of Birmingham, UK’Nagasawa’s book is a useful summary of arguments for and against the existence of God. It is varied, representative of all main arguments and offers an encyclopaedia of information on the topic. It should be available to students and those with academic interest in the topic.’ – Christina Landman, University of South Africa ‘Exceptionally well written, clear, and informed. The material is engaging and approachable, with technicalities skilfully explained. It will be a valuable text for undergraduates taking courses in philosophy of religion.’ – Keith Parsons, University of Houston – Clear Lake, USA‘Nagasawa gives interesting and historically-nuanced perspectives on some of the great arguments in the Philosophy of Religion, writing in a clear and accessible way about some of the most opaque and inaccessible issues to which the human mind may direct itself.’ – T. J. Mawson, University of Oxford, UK‘Yujin Nagasawa’s clear and accessible writing style and mastery of the subject matter make this an engaging read. Those looking for an introductory survey of the arguments for the existence of God will find reading it to be a rewarding experience.’ – Andrei Buckareff, Marist College, USA‘This is a very lucid discussion of all the main philosophical arguments for the existence of God, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. It will appeal not only to professional philosophers but to many other readers as well.’ – John Hick, University of Birmingham, UK About the Author Yujin Nagasawa is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham, UK. He is author of God and Phenomenal Consciousness (2008), and editor/co-editor of There’s Something About Mary: Essays on Phenomenal Consciousness and Frank Jackson’s Knowledge Argument (2004), New Waves in Philosophy of Religion (2008) and Scientific Approaches to the Philosophy of Religion (2012).

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐very well written

⭐The subtitle of this book is “A Philosophical Introduction”. This is however a very well argued and well written book that seeks to address both sides of the main arguments concerning the existence of God. It is for the advanced scholar. It is not appropriate as an introduction to the subject of the existence of God. However, if one welcomes the challenge of a thorough exposition, this is a good book to read. The only segment that readers without formal training in logic might have difficulty is from pages 112 to 115 (but one can skip those pages and still enjoy the book).The book discusses the three main arguments concerning the existence of “God” – (a) the ontological argument, which is a metaphysical inquiry into the nature of God; (b) the Design argument, which is essentially the argument whether a design can exist without a designer; and (c) the cosmological argument, which is an inquiry into what was the first cause of the universe. Nagasawa does not provide a categorical statement as to the conclusion in each argument (and the many sub-arguments), but he says that if any of the arguments for the existence of God is sound then it follows that God exists and that would be a great discovery. Indeed, he says: “It would probably be the greatest discovery in human history.” Conversely, if the arguments against the existence of God are sound, then God does not exist, and that would be an equally great discovery. He leaves the reader to decide which is which. He anticipates the possibility that none of the arguments is sound. In which event, knowing why it fails is a scholarly step to learning more.The author pointed out that the argument from Design appears to be a contemporary hot topic, but in fact, it is the weakest of the three defences of the existence of God.

⭐Seldom do you come across a book that delivers on its promises as much as Yujin Nagasawa’s The Existence of God. In four clearly written chapters Nagasawa deftly lays out the three traditional arguments for the existence of God.Part 1 deals with the Ontological argument in its various incarnations, from Anselm to Godol. Part 2 handles evolution verses intelligent design, showing the relative absurdity of modern intelligent design arguments. Part 3 shows the cosmological argument, its relation to the Big Bang Theory, and current work with infinity and the so-called Kalam cosmological argument. Part 4 deals with scraps of theories, like Pascal’s Wager, and some of the moral arguments for God’s existence.All in all, this is the best introductory book I have read on natural theology. Concise yet boldly explanatory, detailed without getting bogged down in them, Nagasawa provides a work that his perfect for the intelligent seeker looking to understand how the mind can grope toward an understanding of God’s existence without recourse to faith or mysticism.

⭐Great book, just as described.

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