Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religionby Brian Davies
None Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Brian Davies, a Dominican Priest, is Professor of Philosophy, at Fordham University (since 1995) and author of An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, first published in 1982 and now in a third English edition. Considered a classic, it has been translated into five Asian and European languages. It is a book that he tells us “is concerned with questions of possibility and actuality.” To whit, that he asks frequently whether certain views can be immediately ruled out as nonsensical or, if acceptable, for what reasons. Religious assertions (especially the existence of God) are often dealt with in these black-and-white terms (nonsensical/believable) by philosophers. Hence Fr. Davies’ method of inquiry demands that such assertions be looked at. A third option that he advances here, in addition to the black-and-white alternatives noted, is whether it is legitimate to ask if certain religious beliefs are capable of rational support. Good Dominican priest that Fr. Davies is, he suggests that some are. For those concerned with Fr. Davies’ impartiality, consider this disclaimer he posts at the beginning of his book: "The philosopher of religion can belong to any religion or none, and even if he can show that some religious beliefs are true, it does not follow that he has demonstrated the truth of an entire religious system. One can, for example, believe in God without being committed to religions like Judaism or Christianity. There are numerous theological positions of which I say nothing in this book; so I shall not here be arguing either for or against any particular religion." So what we get here is a remarkably cant-free exposition of faith and reason for belief on the existence and nature of God, life after death, good and evil, and morality. The reason it is used in so many introductory courses of Religious Philosophy is the clear concise way Fr. Davies goes about introducing all these issues. A good way to go back and touch base with these things if you haven’t for a while and a good way to become familiar with them if you are attracted to thinking about them. no reviews | add a review
What does belief in God amount to? Can we reasonably believe in God's existence without argument or evidence? Can God's existence be proved? Can we believe in miracles? Is there life after death? In this book, Brian Davies provides a critical examination of some fundamental questions posed by religious belief. Completely rewritten in order to cover the latest developments in the field, the new edition of this highly successful textbook will once again prove the ideal introduction for all students of the philosophy of religion. The book is highly accessible and covers all the key elements of a course in the philosophy of religion. It is designed to complement Brian Davies' Philosophy of Religion: A Guide and Anthology, although the book can also be used as a stand-alone introduction. No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)200.1Religions Religion Religion Systems, scientific principles, psychology of religion, philosophy and religionLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
On the premise that the weight is small, this book mainly discusses God and other related issues, and I am more interested in miracles and occultism/mysticism recently. It is a pity that most of the article is a statement and criticism of David Hume's views, and there is no valuable content other than that. And I'm actually curious about the specific views of Poiman and the friend he mentioned.
1. Boyman's friend:
When I arrived at a college in the Eastern United States as a young Christian mystic, I believed in miracles. ······At that moment I changed from a mystic to a rationalist. It is my decisive experiment. As far as I know, miracles don't happen.
2. The key concept of mysticism: mystic experience (the experience of feeling that one's soul is in harmony with a supreme spiritual entity), among which the mysticism proposed by Antoine Faivre ( esoterism) in connection with the interpretation of deism of the likes of Richard Swinburne.
Whether it is eternal esoteric classics that exist before human beings (eternalism), or Meister Eckhart's theological thought of the unity of all things & the high price of human nature, if you expect to see these aspects, This book is obviously not enough, it is just a collection of big problems.