Basic Modern Philosophy of Religion Routledge Library Editions: Philosophy of Religion Series

This book provides a reasoned, comprehensive understanding of what religion is as well as a clear and critical assessment of whether, in the light of modern developments in philosophy, contemporary thinking people can responsibly maintain religious belief in God.

The book is divided into three major sections: the first deals with what all religions may be said to have in common; the second discusses theistic religion and the issue of intellectually responsible belief in God; the third examines current developments within a particular theistic religion, Christianity.

Originally published in 1968, the book is basic, both in the nature of the issues it discusses and in the clarity and comprehensiveness of its presentation; it is varied in the arguments and perspectives dealt with; it provides an introduction to philosophical thinking through the problems of philosophy of religion; and it deals seriously with controversial movements in theology.

Prologue Part 1: Meanings and Methods 1. What is Philosophy of Religion? 2. How Shall We Define Religion? 3. What is Religion? 4. How Shall We Examine Religion? Part 2: Modern Philosophy and Belief in God 5. Classical Arguments for God’s Existence 6. A Classical Case of Scepticism 7. Kant: The Limits of Theoretical Reason 8. Kant: The Turn Toward Practical Reason 9. The Roots of Existentialism 10. The Roots of Positivism and Pragmatism Part 3: Contemporary Issues of Metareligious Thought 11. The Scientific Stalemate 12. The Linguistic Key 13. The Cognitive Possibilities of Theistic Language 14. The Current Quest for Responsible Christian Theism. Epilogue